I was held to life by one thread--one hope only--' She was silent.
'-- the hope that if I was to put my whole life to school again--to burn what I had adored, and adore what I had burned--the one human being in the world who could teach me such a lesson--who had begun to teach it me--would stand by me--would put her hand in mine--and lead me.' His voice broke down.

Elizabeth, shaken from head to foot, could only hide her face and wait.

Even the strength to protest--'Not now!--not yet!' seemed to have gone from her.

He went on vehemently: 'Oh, don't imagine that I am making you an ordinary proposal--or that I am going to repeat to you the things I said to you--like a fool--in Cross Wood.

Then I offered you a bargain--and I see now that you despised me as a huckster! You were to help my hobby; I was to help yours.