for doubting her love, it
was not in the heart of the man to do so after it had been once
assured to him by her word. He could not so slightly respect himself
or her as to leave room for such a doubt in his bosom. He was a man
who could never have suggested to himself that a woman loved him till
the fact was there before him; but who having ascertained, as he
might think, the fact, could never suggest to himself that her love
would fail him. Her first two letters from Switzerland had been very
pleasant; but after that there had seemed to have crept over her a
melancholy which she unconsciously transferred to her words, and
which he could not but taste in them,--at first unconsciously, also,
but soon with so plain a flavour that he recognised it, and made it a
matter of mental inquiry. During the three or four last days of the
journey, while they were at Basle and on their way home, she had not
written. But she did write on the day after her arrival, having then
received from Mr Grey a letter, in which he told her how very much
she would add to his happiness if she would now agree that their
marriage should not be postponed beyond the end of October. This
letter she found in her room on her return, and this she answered at
once. And she answered it in such words that Mr Grey resolved that he
would at once go to her in London. I will give her letter at length,
as I shall then be best able to proceed with my story quickly.

Queen Anne Street,
-- August, 186--.

DEAREST JOHN,--

We reached home yesterday tired enough, as we came through
from Paris without stopping. I may indeed say that we
came through from Strasbourg, as we only slept in Paris.
I don't like Strasbourg. A steeple, after all, is not
everything, and putting the steeple aside, I don't think
the style is good. But the hotel was uncomfortable, which
goes for so much;--and then we were saturated with beauty
of a better kind.

I got your letter directly I came in last night, and
I suppose I had better dash at it at once. I would so
willingly delay doing so, saying nice little things the
while, did I not know that this would be mere cowardice.
Whatever happens I won't be a coward, and therefore I will
tell you at once that I cannot let you hope that we should
be married this year. Of course you will ask me why,
as you have a right to do, and of course I am bound to
answer. I do not know that I c