But I never meditated the step, and so had nothing to conceal from you.

It was conceived and executed in less than a minute.
Although my first marriage was a silly love match and a failure, I have always admitted to myself that I should marry again.

A bachelor is a man who shirks responsibilities and duties; I seek them, and consider it my duty, with my monstrous superfluity of means, not to let the individualists outbreed me.

Still, I was in no hurry, having other things to occupy me, and being fond of my bachelor freedom, and doubtful sometimes whether I had any right to bring more idlers into the world for the workers to feed.

Then came the usual difficulty about the lady.
I did not want a helpmeet; I can help myself.