"You mean you want me to let you off ?" she asked.

"You must tell me what you mean." And as he did not answer instantly, "Because I think I have some little claim upon you," she said, with a pleasant smile.
"I am as pitiful a puzzle to myself as I can be to you," he replied.
"All I know is that I don't want to marry anyone.

And yet I am sure I could die for you, Grizel." It was quite true.

A burning house and Grizel among the flames, and he would have been the first on the ladder.

But there is no such luck for you, Tommy.
"You are free," was what she said.