6/27 You shall be again free--" "But I don't choose to be free." "When you think of it you will find it best that it should be so. You have performed your promise honestly, even though at a sacrifice to yourself. Luckily for you,--for both of us, I should say,--the full truth has come out; and we can consider quietly what will be best for us to do, independently of that promise. We will part, therefore, as dear friends, but not as engaged to each other as man and wife." "But we are engaged, and I will not hear of its being broken." "A lady's word, Fred, is always the most potential before marriage;--and you must therefore yield to me in this matter. I am sure your judgment will approve of my decision when you think of it. |