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speak to me about that man. And besides, it is all he cares
for; let him take it, and let me never hear from him again.'
'
'
'
I thought you romantic about fathers,' he said.
Is that a taunt?' she demanded.
No,' he replied, 'it is an argument. No one can make you
like him, but don't disgrace him in his own eyes. He is old,
Esther, old and broken down. Even I am sorry for him, and he
has been the loss of all I cared for. Write to your aunt;
when I see her answer you can leave quietly and naturally,
and I will take you to your aunt's door. But in the meantime
you must go home. You have no money, and so you are
helpless, and must do as I tell you; and believe me, Esther,
I do all for your good, and your good only, so God help me.'
She had put her hand into her pocket and withdrawn it empty.
'I counted upon you,' she wailed.
'You counted rightly then,' he retorted. 'I will not, to
please you for a moment, make both of us unhappy for our
lives; and since I cannot marry you, we have only been too
long away, and must go home at once.'
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