Florence till the return of Lord
Ongar's widow. Up to that time everything had been fair between us.
I had told Florence of my former attachment, and she probably
thought but little of it. Such things are so common with men! Some
change happens as had happened with me, and a man's second love is
often stronger and more worthy of a woman's acceptance than the
first. At any rate, she knew it, and there was, so far, an end of
it. And you understood, also, how very anxious I was to avoid delay
in our marriage. No one knows that better than you--not even
Florence--for I have talked it over with you so often; and you will
remember how I have begged you to assist me. I don't blame my
darling Florence. She was doing what she deemed best; but oh, if she
had only been guided by what you once said to her!

Then Lord Ongar's widow returned; and dear Mrs. Burton, though I
fear you think ill of her, you must remember that as far as you
know, or I, she has done nothing wrong, has been in no respect
false, since her marriage. As to her early conduct to me, she did
what many women have done, but what no woman should do. But how can
I blame her, knowing how terrible has been my own weakness! But as
to her conduct since her marriage, I implore you to believe with me
that she has been sinned against grievously, and has not sinned.
Well; as you know, I met her. It was hardly unnatural that I should
do so, as we are connected. But whether natural or unnatural,
foolish or wise, I went to her often. I thought at first that she
must know of my engagement, as her sister knew it well, and had met
Florence. But she did not know it; and so, having none near her that
she could love, hardly a friend but myself, grievously wronged by
the world and her own relatives, thinking that with her wealth she
could make some amends to me for her former injury, she--. Dear Mrs.
Burton, I think you will understand it now, and will see that she at
least is free from blame.

I am not defending myself; of course, all this should have been
without effect on me. But I had loved her so dearly! I do love her
still so dearly! Love like that does not die. When she left me it
was natural that I should seek some one else to love. When she
returned to me--when I found that in spite of her faults she had
loved me through it all, I--