To his own ears it did not sound like the hearty letter of a generous friend.

It savoured of the caution with which it had been prepared.

But what could he do?
Would he not sin against her and increase her difficulties if he addressed her with warm affection?
Were he to say a word that ought not to be addressed to any woman he might do her an irreparable injury; and yet the tone of his own letter was odious to him..