Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/133

 me already, you know; your heart, I mean. Does it not?’

‘You know as well as I. O yes—yes!’

‘Then, if your heart does, why not your hand?’

‘My only reason was on account of you—on account of a question. I have something to tell you’

‘But suppose it ta be entirely for my happiness, and my worldly convenience also?’

‘O yes; if it is for your happiness and worldly convenience. But my last experiences, I want’

‘Well, it is for my convenience as well as my happiness. If I have a very large farm, either English or colonial, you will be invaluable as a wife to me; better than a woman out of the largest mansion in the country. So please—please, dear Tessy, disabuse your mind of the feeling that you will stand in my way.’

‘But my history. I want you to know it—you must let me tell you—you will not like me so well!’

‘Tell it if you wish to, dearest. This precious history then. Yes, I was born at so and so, Anno Domini’