Some particular words and forms of expression I do remember, and those I give; and in other cases I give my recollection of the substance of what was said.
There was something awful to me in the intensity of repressed emotion which she showed as she proceeded.

The great fact upon which all turned was stated in words that were unmistakable:-- 'He was guilty of incest with his sister!' She here became so deathly pale, that I feared she would faint; and hastened to say, 'My dear friend, I have heard that.' She asked quickly, 'From whom ?' and I answered, 'From Mrs .-- --;' when she replied, 'Oh, yes!' as if recollecting herself.
I then asked her some questions; in reply to which she said, 'I will tell you.' She then spoke of her first acquaintance with Lord Byron; from which I gathered that she, an only child, brought up in retirement, and living much within herself, had been, as deep natures often were, intensely stirred by his poetry; and had felt a deep interest in him personally, as one that had the germs of all that is glorious and noble.
When she was introduced to him, and perceived his admiration of herself, and at last received his offer, although deeply moved, she doubted her own power to be to him all that a wife should be.

She declined his offer, therefore, but desired to retain his friendship.

After this, as she said, a correspondence ensued, mostly on moral and literary subjects; and, by this correspondence, her interest in him was constantly increased.
At last, she said, he sent her a very beautiful letter, offering himself again.

'I thought,' she added, 'that it was sincere, and that I might now show him all I felt.