What these circumstances are I am ignorant, any further than that I know from your own admission, that they may lead to some future disgrace.

Now, it may be my fault, it may be in my temperament, to be anxious, above all things earthly, to obtain and possess a high reputation.

I can only say that it is so, and leave you to blame me for my weakness as much as you like.

But anything that might come in between me and this object would, I own, be ill tolerated by me; the very dread of such an obstacle intervening would paralyse me.

I should become irritable, and, deep as my affection is, and always must be, towards you, I could not promise you a happy, peaceful life.