A Fair Fraud — page 253: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

242 A Fair Fraud A great wave of colour swept over Hester's pale face, restoring to it all its loveliness. ‘Oh, it is from Captain Drury. I—I dare not open it!’ she faltered as she sank trembling on to a chair. | ‘Don't be a goose! I tell you it will do you good. Read it at once.’ Marion knelt down before the half-filled box with her back to Hester, and went on with the packing. Presently she heard the sound of quiet weeping behind her. She turned half round, and Hester threw her arms round her neck. ‘Oh, Marion! he is so good and dear to me, and he has written me such a beautiful letter | He says he loves me still and will never give meup. And he thinks that my confession at the inquest was noble and heroic, and he sa;s that he loves me fifty times better than he ever did before! Oh! how good he is! how happy he has made me! But I—I cannot accept the sacrifice of his name and his prospects. I dare not drag him down to my level.’ ‘Fiddlesticks, my dear! A woman who ts loved can dare anything and everything! Dearest Hester, don’t be so foolish as to throw away your happiness—and his—for a mere sentiment.’ ‘What shall I do then, Marion? Will you advise me?’ GORMGIOO oO G' Q)