'It's sheer, naked self-interest.

If you're not at ease about your mother, you'll be throwing up your work here again some day, for good, and that'll be death and damnation!' He turned frowning away, and threw himself into a chair by the fire.
So the murder was out.

Elizabeth must needs laugh.

But this clumsy way of showing her that she was indispensable not only touched her feeling, but roused up the swarm of perplexities which had buzzed around her ever since her summons to her mother's bedside on the morning after her scene with Pamela.

And again she asked herself, 'Why did I come back?
And what am I going to do ?' She looked in doubt at the fuming gentleman by the fire, and suddenly conscience bade her be frank.
'I would like to stay here, Mr.Mannering, and go on with my work.