\"Yes。AssoonashehearsofthisgoodfortunetopoorlittleJean，hewillhastentomarit。Heismyfate;Icannotescapehim，andwhereverhegoesmyfriendsdesertme;forhehasthepowerandusesitformydestruction。Letmegoawayandhidebeforehecomes，for，havingsharedyourconfidence，itwillbreakmyhearttoseeyoudistrustandturnfromme，insteadoflovingandprotecting。\"
\"Mypoorchild，youaresuperstitious。Beeasy。Noonecanharmyounow，noonewoulddareattemptit。Andasformydesertingyou，thatwillsoonbeoutofmypower，ifIhavemyway。\"
\"How，dearSirJohn？\"askedJean，withaflutterofintensereliefatherheart，forthewayseemedsmoothingbeforeher。
\"Iwillmakeyoumywifeatonce，ifImay。ThiswillfreeyoufromGerald’slove，protectyoufromSydney’spersecution，giveyouasafehome，andmetherighttocherishanddefendwithheartandhand。Shallitbeso，mychild？\"
\"Yes;butoh，rememberthatIhavenofriendbutyou！Promisemetobefaithfultothelast——tobelieveinme，totrustme，protectandloveme，inspiteofallmisfortunes，faults，andfollies。