I had promised Welbeck to conceal from every one my former condition; but to explain in what manner this bundle was lost, and how my intercourse with Clavering had taken place, was to violate this promise.

It was possible, perhaps, to escape the confession of the truth by equivocation.

Falsehoods were easily invented, and might lead her far away from my true condition; but I was wholly unused to equivocation.
Never yet had a lie polluted my lips.

I was not weak enough to be ashamed of my origin.

This lady had an interest in the fate of Clavering, and might justly claim all the information which I was able to impart.