Yet to forget the compact which I had so lately made, and an adherence to which might possibly be in the highest degree beneficial to me and to Welbeck; I was willing to adhere to it, provided falsehood could be avoided.
These thoughts rendered me silent.

The pain of my embarrassment amounted almost to agony.

I felt the keenest regret at my own precipitation in claiming the picture.

Its value to me was altogether imaginary.

The affection which this lady had borne the original, whatever was the source of that affection, would prompt her to cherish the copy, and, however precious it was in my eyes, I should cheerfully resign it to her.
In the confusion of my thoughts an expedient suggested itself sufficiently inartificial and bold.