It was
partly that she felt ashamed of her father's unreasoning wrath,
and feared lest Jasper's pride might receive an injury from which
she in turn would suffer; partly that she was unwilling to pain
her lover by making display of all she had undergone.
'Oh, he refused to reply! Surely that is extreme behaviour.'
What she dreaded seemed to be coming to pass. Jasper stood rather
stiffly, and threw his head back.
'You know the reason, dear. That prejudice has entered into his
very life. It is not you he dislikes; that is impossible. He
thinks of you only as he would of anyone connected with Mr
Fadge.'
'Well, well; it isn't a matter of much moment. But what I have in
mind is this. Will it be possible for you, whilst living at home,
to take a position of independence, and say that you are going to
work for your own profit?'
'At least I might claim half the money I can earn. And I was
thinking more of--'
'Of what?'
'When I am your wife, I may be able to help. I could earn thirty
or forty pounds a year, I think. That would pay the rent of a
small house.
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