'Your cold and sullen temper, which chills every breast about you, which turns affection into fear, and changes duty into dread, has forced us on this secret course, repugnant to our nature and our wish, and far more foreign, sir, to us than you.
I am not a false, a hollow, or a heartless man; the character is yours, who poorly venture on these injurious terms, against the truth, and under the shelter whereof I reminded you just now.

You shall not cancel the bond between us.

I will not abandon this pursuit.

I rely upon your niece's truth and honour, and set your influence at nought.

I leave her with a confidence in her pure faith, which you will never weaken, and with no concern but that I do not leave her in some gentler care.' With that, he pressed her cold hand to his lips, and once more encountering and returning Mr Haredale's steady look, withdrew.
A few words to Joe as he mounted his horse sufficiently explained what had passed, and renewed all that young gentleman's despondency with tenfold aggravation.