'A copy for whom?'
'One of my scholars,' she said, with a smile at him.
'That copy will never be wanted.'
'Yes, I want it for Monday; and Monday I should have no time to do it; so I thought I would finish it now. It will not take me long, Pitt.'
'Queen Esther,' said he, laying his hand over hers, 'all that is over.'
'Oh no, Pitt!—how should it?' she said, looking at him now, since it was no use to look at her paper.
'I cannot have you doing this sort of work any longer.'
'But!' she said, flushing high, 'yes, I must.'
'That has been long enough, my queen! I cannot let you do it any longer. You may give me lessons; nobody else.'
'But!'—said Esther, catching her breath; then, not willing to open the whole chapter of discussion she saw ahead, she caught at the nearest and smallest item. 'You know, I am under obligations; and I must meet them until other arrangements are made. I am expected, I am depended on; I must not fail. I must give this lesson Monday, and others.'