I have to ask your pardon for intruding again upon your private affairs.

In this case, if I did not intrude, you would have cause for serious complaint against me.
"You asked me the other day whether I knew anything against Mr.
Ratcliffe which the world did not know, to account for my low opinion of his character.

I evaded your question then.

I was bound by professional rules not to disclose facts that came to me under a pledge of confidence.

I am going to violate these rules now, only because I owe you a duty which seems to me to override all others.
"I do know facts in regard to Mr.Ratcliffe, which have seemed to me to warrant a very low opinion of his character, and to mark him as unfit to be, I will not say your husband, but even your acquaintance.
"You know that I am executor to Samuel Baker's will.