It would be just like her to exact such a promise from him, and never think any thing of it.

And, even if he has not, it is all the same.

He knows very well no human being could live in the house with her, to say nothing of his being so terribly poor.
Poor, dear Stephen! to think of our little rent being more than half his income! Oh, if there were only some way in which I could contrive to give him money without his knowing it." If any one had said to Mercy at this time: "It was not honorable in this man, knowing or feeling that he could not marry you, to tell you of his love, and to allow you to show him yours for him.

He is putting you in a false position, and may be blighting your whole life," Mercy would have repelled the accusation most indignantly.

She would have said: "He has never asked me for any such love as that.