You have lived alone with a great sorrow; you are too swift; you are unjust.
Even if I had known what you ask about Miss Hope, I am not sure that I should have done differently.

Certainly, while I did not know--while, at most, I could only suspect, I could do nothing else.

I have feared rather than believed--nor that, until very lately.

Would it have been kind, or wise, or right to have staid away altogether, when, as you know, I constantly meet her at our little Club?
Was I to say, 'Miss Hope, I see you love me, but I do not love you ?' And what right had I to hint the same thing by my actions, at the cost of utter misapprehension and pain to her?
Mrs.Simcoe, I do love Hope Wayne too tenderly, and respect her too truly, not to try to protect her against the sting of her own womanly pride.

And so I have not staid away.