Day after day she looked into her father's face, thinking that from him, perhaps, might come some sign of wavering, some hint of possible release.
Vain hope.

The bailiff having exacted the sacrifice, pretended to think his daughter's welfare secured by that very act.

He did not hesitate to congratulate her on her good fortune, and to protest, with an accustomed oath, that there was not a sensible woman in England who would not envy her so excellent a match.

Once poor Ellen, always impetuous and plain-spoken, lost all patience with him, and asked how he dared to say such things.
"You know that I hate this man, father!" she cried passionately; "and that I hate myself for what I am going to do.

You know that I have promised to be his wife for your sake, for your sake only; and that if I could have saved you from disgrace by giving you my life, I should have done it gladly to escape this much greater sacrifice.