Hester · Chapter 36 (3/3)

There was a pause, for Hester was wounded, yet touched, both to the heart. She said, after a moment, almost under her breath, “I can understand that too.” The faltering of her voice, the droop of her head, and his own need for her, more urgent than either, changed Edward’s sarcastic mood. He drew her closer to him, and put down his face close to her ear.

“We must not fight,” he said, “my only love. I am going away, and I can’t quarrel with you, my only love! And I am your only love. There has never been anybody between us. I will come back in two or three days; but Hester, another time, if it should be for good, would you come?⁠—you would come?⁠—with me?”

“Elope!” she said, breathless, her eyes large in the darkness, straining upon the face which was too near her own to be very clear.

He laughed. “If you like the word; it is an innocent word. Yes, elope then,” he said.

“But why?⁠—but why? It would wound them all⁠—it would break their hearts; and for what reason?” Hester cried.