The sting was too cruel.
'Pray hesitate not to say so, if such be your conviction,' added Dorothy.
'No,' replied Richard, recovering himself.

'I trust it is not such a serious matter as you say; but any how it was not conscience but jealousy and anger that drove me to that wrong.' 'Did you see the action such at the time ?' 'No, surely; else I would not have been guilty of that for which I am truly sorry now.' 'Then, perhaps, the day will come when, looking back on what you do now, you will regard it with the like disapprobation .-- God grant it may!' she added, with a deep sigh.
'That can hardly be, mistress Dorothy.

I am, in the matters to which you refer, under the influence of no passion, no jealousy, no self-seeking, no--' 'Perhaps a deeper search might discover in you each and all of the bosom-sins you so stoutly abjure,' interrupted Dorothy.

'But it is needless for you to defend yourself to me; I am not your judge.' 'So much the better for me!' returned Richard; 'I should else have an unjust as well as severe one.

I, on my part, hope the day may come when you will find something to repent of in such harshness towards an old friend whom you choose to think in the wrong.' 'Richard Heywood, God is my witness it is no choice of mine.