If you will keep silence about it, there need be no unpleasantness on either side--nothing, I mean, beyond what is quite unavoidable: for my own feelings I will endeavour to keep to myself, if I cannot annihilate them--I will try to forgive, if I cannot forget the cause of my sufferings.

I will not suppose, Miss Murray, that you know how deeply you have injured me.

I would not have you aware of it; but if, in addition to the injury you have already done me--pardon me, but, whether innocently or not, you _have_ done it--and if you add to it by giving publicity to this unfortunate affair, or naming it _at all_, you will find that I too can speak, and though you scorned my love, you will hardly scorn my--" 'He stopped, but he bit his bloodless lip, and looked so terribly fierce that I was quite frightened.

However, my pride upheld me still, and I answered disdainfully; "I do not know what motive you suppose I could have for naming it to anyone, Mr.Hatfield; but if I were disposed to do so, you would not deter me by threats; and it is scarcely the part of a gentleman to attempt it." '"Pardon me, Miss Murray," said he, "I have loved you so intensely--I do still adore you so deeply, that I would not willingly offend you; but though I never have loved, and never _can_ love any woman as I have loved you, it is equally certain that I never was so ill-treated by any.

On the contrary, I have always found your sex the kindest and most tender and obliging of God's creation, till now." (Think of the conceited fellow saying that!) "And the novelty and harshness of the lesson you have taught me to-day, and the bitterness of being disappointed in the only quarter on which the happiness of my life depended, must excuse any appearance of asperity.