l confine my reply to a simple denial of having caused this fatal
intelligence to reach her ears; for the truth of which, I pledge my
honour as a gentleman. A second's thought would have told me--indeed I at
once acquiesced in your view--that she should not know it. How it has
happened it is vain to attempt to guess. Can you suppose that I desired
her to hate me? Yet this is what the knowledge of the step I am taking
will make her do! If I could see--if I might see her for five minutes, I
should be able to explain everything, and, I sincerely think (painful as
it would be to me), give her something like peace. It is too late even to
wish to justify myself; but her I can persuade that she--Do you not see
that her mind is still unconvinced of my--I will call it baseness! Is
this the self-accusing you despise? A little of it must be heard. If I
may see her I will not fail to make her understand my position. She shall
see that it is I who am worthless--not she! You know the circumstances
under which I last beheld her--when I saw pang upon pang smiting her
breast from my silence! But now I may speak. Do not be prepossessed
against my proposal! It shall be only for five minutes--no more. Not that
it is my desire to come. In truth, it could not be. I have felt that I
alone can cure her--I who did the harm. Mark me: she will fret
secretly--, but dear and kindest lady, do not smile too critically at the
tone I adopt. I cannot tell how I am writing or what saying. Believe me
that I am deeply and constantly sensible of your generosity. In case you
hesitate, I beg you to consult Mr. Powys."

[Georgiana Ford to Wilfrid:]

"I had no occasion to consult my brother to be certain that an interview
between yourself and Emilia should not take place. There can be no
object, even if the five minutes of the meeting gave her happiness, why
the wound of the long parting should be again opened. She is wretched
enough now, though her tenderness for us conceals it as far as possible.
When some heavenly light shall have penetrated her, she will have a
chance of peace. The evil is not of a nature to be driven out by your
hands. If you are not going into the Austrian service, she shall know as
much immediately. Otherwise, be as dead to her as you may, and your
noblest feelings cannot be shown under any form but that."

[Wilfrid to Tracy Runningbrook:]

"Some fellows whom I know want you to write a prologue to a play they are
going to get up. It's