it suits you, I will become your wife;--but it cannot
be quite at once. I have suffered much from the past
conflicts of my life, and there has been very much with
which I must reproach myself. I know that I have behaved
badly. Sometimes I have to undergo the doubly bitter
self-accusation of having behaved in a manner which the
world will call unfeminine. You must understand that I
have not passed through this unscathed, and I must beg
you to allow me some time for a cure. A perfect cure I
may never expect, but I think that in twelve months from
this time I may so far have recovered my usual spirit and
ease of mind as to enable me to devote myself to your
happiness. Dear George, if you will accept me under such
circumstances, I will be your wife, and will endeavour to
do my duty by you faithfully.

I have said that even now, as your cousin, I take a lively
interest in your career,--of course I mean your career as
a politician,--and especially in your hopes of entering
Parliament. I understand, accurately as I think, what you
have said about my fortune, and I perfectly appreciate
your truth and frankness. If I had nothing of my own you,
in your circumstances, could not possibly take me as your
wife. I know, moreover, that your need of assistance from
my means is immediate rather than prospective. My money
may be absolutely necessary to you within this year,
during which, as I tell you most truly, I cannot bring
myself to become a married woman. But my money shall
be less cross-grained than myself. You will take it as
frankly as I mean it when I say, that whatever you want
for your political purposes shall be forthcoming at your
slightest wish. Dear George, let me have the honour and
glory of marrying a man who has gained a seat in the
Parliament of Great Britain! Of all positions which a man
may attain that, to me, is the grandest.

I shall wait for a further letter from you before I speak
either to my father or to my grandfather. If you can tell
me that you accede to my views, I will at once try to
bring about a reconciliation between you and the Squire.
I think that that will be almost easier than inducing my
father to look with favour upon our marriage. But I need
hardly say that should either one or the other oppose
it,--or should both do so,--that would not turn me from my
purpose.