His resentment grew with the expression of it.  But Hester met him unflinchingly.

‘I’m anxious—­because human nature is human nature—­and risk is risk,’ she said slowly.

He bent forward, his hands on his knees.

’I swear to you I will be honestly her friend!  What do you take me for, Hester?  You know very well that—­I have had my adventures, and they’re over.  I’m not a boy.  I can answer for myself.’

’All very well!—­but suppose—­suppose—­before she felt herself free—­and against her conscience—­she were to fall in love with you?’

Farrell could not conceal the flash that the mere words, reluctantly as they were spoken, sent through his blue eyes.  He laughed.

’Well—­you’re there!  Act watch-dog as much as you please.  Besides—­we all know—­you have just said so—­that she does not believe in Sarratt’s death, that she feels herself still his wife, and not his widow.  That fact establishes the relation between her and me.  And if the outlook changes—­’

His voice dropped to a note of pleading—­

‘Let me, Hester!—­let me!’

‘As if I could prevent you!’ said Hester, rather bitterly, bending again over her work.

’Yes, you could.  You have such influence with her now, that you could banish me entirely if you pleased.  A word from you would do it.  But it would be hideously cruel of you—­and abominally unjust!  However, I know your power—­over her—­and so over me.  And so I made up my mind it was no good trying to conceal anything from you.  I’ve told you straight out.  I love her—­and because I love her—­you may be perfectly certain I shall protect her!’

Silence again.  Farrell had turned towards the open window.  When Hester turned her eyes she saw his handsome profile, his Nibelung’s head and beard against the stony side of the fell.  A man with unfair advantages, it seemed to her, if he chose to put out his strength;—­the looks of a king, a warm heart, a sympathetic charm, felt quite as much by men as by women, and ability which would have distinguished him in any career, if his wealth had not put the drag on industry.  But at the moment he was not idle.  He was more creditably and fully employed then she had ever known him.  His hospital and his pride in it were in fact Nelly Sarratt’s best safeguard.  Whatever he wished, he could not possibly spend all his time at her feet.

Hester tried one more argument—­the conventional.

’Have you ever really asked yourself, Willy, how it will look to the outside world—­what people will think?  It is all very well to scoff at Mrs. Grundy, but the poor child has no natural guardian.  We both agree her sister is no use to her.’

’Let them think!’—­he turned to her again with energy—­’so long as you and I know.  Besides—­I shan’t compromise her in any way.  I shall be most careful not to do so.’

‘Look at this room!’ said Hester drily.  She herself surveyed it.  Farrell’s laugh had a touch of embarrassment.