I yielded and became false and a
traitor.

I say that I love her still; but I know well that Florence is far
the nobler woman of the two. Florence never could have done what she
did. In nature, in mind, in acquirement, in heart, Florence is the
better. The man who marries Florence must be happy if any woman can
make a man happy. Of her of whom I am now speaking, I know well that
I cannot say that. How then, you will ask, can I be fool enough,
having had such a choice, to doubt between the two! How is it that
man doubts between vice and virtue, between heaven and hell?

But all this is nothing to you. I do not know whether Florence would
take me now. I am well aware that I have no right to expect that she
should. But if I understood you aright this evening, she, as yet,
has heard nothing of all this. What must she think of me for not
writing to her! But I could not bring myself to write in a false
spirit; and how could I tell her all that I have now told to you?

I know that you wish that our engagement should go on. Dear Mrs.
Burton, I love you so dearly for wishing it! Mr. Burton, when he
shall have heard everything, will, I fear, think differently. For
me, I feel that I must see Lady Ongar before I can again go to your
house, and I write now chiefly to tell you that this is what I have
determined to do. I believe she is now away, in the Isle of Wight,
but I will see her as soon as she returns. After that I will either
come to Onslow Crescent or send. Florence will be with you then.
She, of course, must know everything, and you have my permission to
show this letter to her if you think well to do so. Most sincerely
and affectionately yours,

Harry Clavering

This he delivered himself the next morning at the door in Onslow
Crescent, taking care not to be there till after Theodore Burton should
have gone from home. He left a card also, so that it might be known, not
only that he had brought it himself but that he intended Mrs. Burton to
be aware of that fact. Then he went and wandered about, and passed his
day in misery, as such men do when they are thoroughly discontented with
their own conduct. This was the Saturday on which Lady Ongar returned
with her Sophie from the Isle of Wight; but of that premature return
Harry knew nothing, and therefore allowed the Sunday to pass by without
going to Bolton Street. O