"But it is a course denied me.

I was viewed here with disfavour, almost denied your house.

What chance had I whilst I might not come near you, whilst your mind was poisoned against me by the idle, vicious prattle that goes round and round the countryside, increasing ever in bulk from constant repetition ?" "Do you say that these tales are groundless ?" she asked, with a sudden lifting of the eyes, a sudden keen eagerness that did not escape him.
"I would to God I could," he cried, "since from your manner I see that would improve me in your sight.

But there is just sufficient truth in them to forbid me, as I am, I hope, a gentleman, from giving them a full denial.

Yet in what am I worse than my fellows?
Are you of those who think a husband should come to them as one whose youth has been the youth of cloistered nun?
Heaven knows, I am not one to draw parallels 'twixt myself and any other, yet you compel me.