"I came here
to-day for a purpose. It's very different. It was vain for me to speak
to you then; but now I can help you."
She couldn't have told you whether it was because she was afraid, or
because such a voice in the darkness seemed of necessity a boon; but
she listened to him as she had never listened before; his words
dropped deep into her soul. They produced a sort of stillness in all
her being; and it was with an effort, in a moment, that she answered
him. "How can you help me?" she asked in a low tone, as if she were
taking what he had said seriously enough to make the enquiry in
confidence.
"By inducing you to trust me. Now I know-to-day I know. Do you
remember what I asked you in Rome? Then I was quite in the dark. But
to-day I know on good authority; everything's clear to me to-day. It
was a good thing when you made me come away with your cousin. He was a
good man, a fine man, one of the best; he told me how the case
stands for you. He explained everything; he guessed my sentiments.
He was a member of your family and he left you-so long as you should
be in England-to my care," said Goodwood as if he were making a
great point.
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