When a fellow begins early, and has got it in him, it's hard to shake him off." And thus even Mr.Ratler was civil to our hero.
Lady Laura Kennedy's letter had, of course, been answered,--not without very great difficulty.

"My dear Laura," he had begun,--for the first time in his life.

She had told him to treat her as a brother would do, and he thought it best to comply with her instructions.

But beyond that, till he declared himself at the end to be hers affectionately, he made no further protestation of affection.
He made no allusion to that sin which weighed so heavily on her, but answered all her questions.

He advised her to remain at Dresden.