I hardly know how to tell you this, but I feel that I owe it to you to explain myself, however much you may despise me for what I am going to say.

It is very simple, nevertheless.

My father has informed me that by my conduct I have caused my name to be coupled in the mouth of the gossips with that of a person very dear to me, but whom I am unfortunately prevented from marrying.

He has convinced me that I owe to this lady, who, I confess, takes no interest whatever in me, the only reparation possible to be made--that of taking a wife, and thus publicly demonstrating that there was never any truth in what has been said.

As a marriage will probably be forced upon me some day, it is as well to let things take their course at once, in order that a step so disagreeable to myself may at least distantly profit one whom I love in removing me from the appearance of being a factor in her life.