"But when you tell me about wickedness and my conscience, then I must be my own judge.

It is my conscience, and the fear of committing wickedness, that has made me do this." "You should submit to be guided by your elders, Alice." "No; my elders in such a matter as this cannot teach me.

It cannot be right that I should go to a man's house and be his wife, if I do not think that I can make him happy." "Then why did you accept him ?" "Because I was mistaken.

I am not going to defend that.

If you choose to scold me for that, you may do so, aunt, and I will not answer you.
But as to marrying him or not marrying him now,--as to that, I must judge for myself." "It was a pity you did not know your own mind earlier." "It was a pity,--a great pity.