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TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES

the effect on her of what had happened was beginning to be a trouble to him only less than the woe of the disclosure itself. He waited patiently, apathetically, till the violence of her grief had worn itself out, and her rush of weeping had lessened to a catching gasp at intervals.

‘Angel,’ she said suddenly, in her natural tones, the insane, dry voice of terror having left her now. ‘Angel, am I too wicked for you and me to live together?’

‘I have not been able to think what we can do.’

‘I shan’t ask you to let me live with you, Angel, because I have no right to! I shall not write to mother and sisters to say we be married, as I said I would do; and I shan’t finish the good hussif’ I cut out and meant to make while we were in lodgings.’

‘Shan’t you?’

‘No, I shan’t do anything, unless you order me to; and if you go away from me I shall not follow ’ee; and if you never speak to me any more I shall not ask why, unless you tell me I may.’

‘And if I do order you to do anything?’

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