Horace himself (unless I am entirely mistaken) will not hold you to the explanation that you have promised.

The temptation to keep your false position in this house is, I do not scruple to say, all but irresistible.

Sister and friend! can you still justify my faith in you?
Will you still own the truth, without the base fear of discovery to drive you to it ?" She lifted her head, with the steady light of resolution shining again in her grand, gray eyes.

Her low, sweet voice answered him, without a faltering note in it, "I will!" "You will do justice to the woman whom you have wronged--unworthy as she is; powerless as she is to expose you ?" "I will!" "You will sacrifice everything you have gained by the fraud to the sacred duty of atonement?
You will suffer anything--even though you offend the second mother who has loved you and sinned for you--rather than suffer the degradation of yourself ?" Her hand closed firmly on his.

Again, and for the last time, she answered, "I will!" His voice had not trembled yet.