"You would not have me
believe it is for my sake you are giving yourself all this
trouble?"
"No. But I thought you would see where I was leading you. For--
and now for the _whole_ truth--although nothing can touch
the character of one in my position, it would be worse than
awkward for me to be spoken of in connection with the poor
fellow's visits to the house: _my_ honesty would not be
called in question as yours would, but what is dear to me as my
honesty might--nay, it certainly would. You see now why I came to
you!--You must go to his wife, or, better still, to Mr. Helmer
himself, and tell him what I have been saying to you. He will at
once see the necessity of disappearing for a while."
Mary had listened attentively. She could not help fearing that
something worse than unpleasant might be at hand; but she did not
believe in Sepia, and in no case could consent that Tom should
compromise himself. Danger of this kind must be met, not avoided.
Still, whatever could be done ought to be done to protect him,
especially in his present critical state. A breath of such a
suspicion as this reaching him might be the death of him, and of
Letty, too.
"I will think over what you have said," she answered; "but I can
not give him the advice you wish me. What I shall do I can not
say--the thing has come upon me with such a shock."
"You have no choice that I see," said Sepia.
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