our leaving without seeing me has made me unhappy, for I
cannot but think that it shows that you are displeased.
Under these circumstances I must write to you and explain
to you how that came to pass which Sir Peregrine told you.
I have not let him know that I am writing to you, and I
think for his sake that I had better not. But he is so
good, and has shown to me such nobleness and affection,
that I can hardly bring myself to have any secret from
him.

You may conceive what was my surprise when I first
understood that he wished to make me his wife. It is
hardly six months since I thought that I was almost
exceeding my station in visiting at his house. Then by
degrees I began to be received as a friend, and at last I
found myself treated with the warmest love. But still I
had no thought of this, and I knew that it was because of
my great trouble that Sir Peregrine and Mrs. Orme were so
good to me.

When he sent for me into his library and told me what
he wished, I could not refuse him anything. I promised
obedience to him as though I were a child; and in this way
I found myself engaged to be his wife. When he told me
that he would have it so, how could I refuse him, knowing
as I do all that he has done for me, and thinking of it
as I do every minute? As for loving him, of course I love
him. Who that knows him does not love him? He is made to
be loved. No one is so good and so noble as he. But of
love of that sort I had never dreamed. Ah me, no!--a woman
burdened as I am does not think of love.

He told me that he would have it so, and I said that I
would obey him; and he tried to prove to me that in this
dreadful trial it would be better for me. But I would not
wish it on that account. He has done enough for me without
my causing him such injury. When I argued it with him,
trying to say that others would not like it, he declared
that Mrs. Orme would be well pleased, and, indeed, so she
told me afterwards herself. And thus I yielded to him,
and agreed that I would be his wife. But I was not happy,
thinking that I should injure him; and I promised only
because I could not deny him.

But the day before yesterday young Mr. Orme, his grandson,
came to me and told me that such a marriage would be very
wrong. And I do believe him. He said that old family
friends would look down upon his gra