'Well, I've been thinking of that.

But I do not feel myself absolutely bound by the statement I made in that room; and I shall expect, if I withdraw it, not to be called to account by you.' De Stancy looked rather blank.
'If you recede from your promise you will doubtless have good reason.
But I must solemnly beg you, after raising my hopes, to keep as near as you can to your word, so as not to throw me into utter despair.' Paula dropped her glance into the Thier-Garten below them, where gay promenaders were clambering up between the bushes and flowers.

At length she said, with evident embarrassment, but with much distinctness: 'I deserve much more blame for what I have done than you can express to me.
I will confess to you the whole truth.

All that I told you in the hotel at Carlsruhe was said in a moment of pique at what had happened just before you came in.

It was supposed I was much involved with another man, and circumstances made the supposition particularly objectionable.
To escape it I jumped at the alternative of yourself.' 'That's bad for me!' he murmured.
'If after this avowal you bind me to my words I shall say no more: I do not wish to recede from them without your full permission.' 'What a caprice! But I release you unconditionally,' he said.