"It may be that you are determined never to marry again.
I can only say that if you will trust yourself to me,--yourself and your child,--I will do my duty truly by you both, and will make your happiness the chief object of my existence." When she had listened to him thus far, of course she must accept him; but he was by no means aware of that.

She sat silent, with her hands folded on her breast, looking down upon the ground; but he did not as yet attempt to seat himself by her.

"Lady Eustace," he continued, "may I venture to entertain a hope ?" "May I not have an hour to think of it ?" said Lizzie, just venturing to turn a glance of her eye upon his face.
"Oh, certainly.

I will call again whenever you may bid me." Now she was silent for two or three minutes, during which he still stood over her.

But he had dropped his hand from his breast, and had stooped, and picked up his hat ready for his departure.