Benson, who it was. And now--it might do him so much harm to have
it known. You will not tell!"
"No! I will not tell," replied he. "But, Mrs. Denbigh, you must
answer me this one question, which I ask you in all true respect,
but which I must ask, in order to guide both myself and you
aright--of course I knew Leonard was illegitimate--in fact, I
will give you secret for secret; it was being so myself that
first made me sympathise with him, and desire to adopt him. I
knew that much of your history; but tell me, do you now care for
this man? Answer me truly--do you love him?"
For a moment or two she did not speak; her head was bent down;
then she raised it up, and looked with clear and honest eyes into
his face.
"I have been thinking--but I do not know--I cannot tell--I don't
think I should love him, if he were well and happy--but you said
he was ill--and alone--how can I help caring for him? How can I
help caring for him?" repeated she, covering her face with her
hands, and the quick hot tears stealing through her fingers.
"He is Leonard's father," continued she, looking up at Mr. Davis
suddenly. "He need not know--he shall not--that I have ever been
near him. If he is like the others, he must be delirious--I will
leave him before he comes to himself--but now let me go--I must
go."
"I wish my tongue had been bitten out before I had named him to
you. He would do well enough without you; and, I dare say, if he
recognises you, he will only be annoyed.
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