Know, then, that my heart is not at my own disposal; it is engaged to another." "I can only listen, Miss Goodwin--I can only listen--but--but--excuse me--proceed." "My heart, as I said, is engaged to another--and that other is your brother Charles." Woodward fixed his eyes upon her face--already scarlet with blushes, and when she ventured to raise hers upon him, she beheld a countenance sunk apparently in the deepest sorrow.
"Alas! Miss Goodwin," he replied, "you have filled my heart with a double grief.

I could resign you--of course it would and must be with the most inexpressible anguish--but to resign you to such a--.

O!" he proceeded, shaking his head sorrowfully, "you know not in what a position of torture you place me.

You said you believed me to be a gentleman; so I trust--I feel--I am, and what is more, a brother, and an affectionate brother, if I--O, my God, what am I to do?
How, knowing what I know of that unfortunate young man, could I ever have expected this?
In the meantime I thank you for your confidence, Miss Goodwin; I hope it was God himself who inspired you to place it in me, and that it may be the means of your salvation from--but perhaps I am saying too much; he is my brother; excuse me, I am not just now cool and calm enough to say what I would wish, and what you, poor child, neither know nor suspect, and perhaps I shall never mention it; but you must give me time.

Of course, under the circumstances you have mentioned, I resign all hopes of my own happiness with you; but, so help me Heaven, if I shall resign all hopes of yours.