" said she, "she must have passed, tell me which
way she went, and let me go." "Not yet. What do you want about Mary?"
"Promise for my sake, you won't try to ruin her." "Well, let us have
a longer talk, how do you know I want to do so?" "I know you do." "Sit
down." "I cannot." "Then I won't promise, why should I?" "Oh! don't be a
blackguard, don't oh! don't,--you shant have her, I will take care," and
then she burst out crying.

I loved her so that I felt I would do anything to please her; but wanted
her so much, that I could be cruel enough to do or say anything to have
her again. Desire was the stronger. The sofa, the bed, the room, her
beauty, all made me feel savage with lust, so I temporized. "I am so
excited," said I, "I scarcely know what to say, what to do, tell me
more, what you know, what you want, for all this stems so strange to
me,--sit down." "No." "Sit down only while you tell me." "No." But I
laid hold of her and pushed her on to the sofa, and there I held her,
and after beseeching her to be quiet and kiss me, she did so. Then she
sat for a minute, drying her tears, and began her tale and her request.

"Mary is my favourite sister, she lived with us for a year after I
married, but mother wanted her and she went home. She grew tired of
being at home, went to service, did not like it and went home again;
again grew weary; and to my astonishment, the last time I went to see
the old people, found she had gone to live with your mother. I was
frightened for her sake, for I love her dearly." "Why frightened?" I
asked. "Why frightened? don't I know you, do you think I have forgotten
all?" "I never thought of doing her harm." "Perhaps not," she replied,
"but I would not trust my sister near you, if she had the least liking
for you, or you for her." I protested I was indifferent to her. "Why
kiss her and squeeze her so?" I began denying it, and she stopped me
saying vehemently, "Now don't tell stories, you never did to me, I know
all, I know you do, you mean her harm, or if you don't, harm will come
of it. Look, here is her letter," and she put it into my hands. To
my astonishment I found Mary had told her sister all, mixed with warm
encomiums of me. I was shut up, and could only say I meant no harm.
"Perhaps! but harm must come of it. It nearly brought me to ruin, for
I would have done anything, lived anyhow to keep near you; but I have
escaped it. Poor Mary may not, for you are older now and may do more
harm! s