The step once taken, it cannot be retraced.
Whether the path be rough or even, it must be pursued to the end.

If the union be harmonious--internally so, I mean--peace, joy, interior delight will go on, finding daily increase--if inharmonious, eternal discord will curse the married partners.

Do not be angry with me then, for pressing the question--Have you her full, free, glad, assent to the approaching union?
If not, pause--for your love-freighted bark may be drifting fast upon the breakers--and not yours only, but hers.
"I have reason to fear, Mr.Dexter," continued Mrs.Denison, seeing that her visitor did not attempt to reply, but sat looking at her in a kind of bewildered surprise, "that you pressed your suit too eagerly, and gained a half unwilling consent.

Now, if this be so, you are in great danger of making shipwreck.

An ordinary woman--worldly, superficial, half-hearted, or no-hearted--even if she did not really love you, would find ample compensation in your fortune, and in the social advantages it must secure.