“You know all now,” she said, raising her eyes to Bella’s. “There is nothing left out. This is my reason for living secret here, with the aid of a good old man who is my true friend. For a short part of my life at home with father, I knew of things⁠—don’t ask me what⁠—that I set my face against, and tried to better. I don’t think I could have done more, then, without letting my hold on father go; but they sometimes lie heavy on my mind. By doing all for the best, I hope I may wear them out.”

“And wear out too,” said Bella soothingly, “this weakness, Lizzie, in favour of one who is not worthy of it.”

“No. I don’t want to wear that out,” was the flushed reply, “nor do I want to believe, nor do I believe, that he is not worthy of it. What should I gain by that, and how much should I lose!”

Bella’s expressive little eyebrows remonstrated with the fire for some short time before she rejoined: