All he asked, in
that case, was that she would recall to mind, for the last time,
what the circumstances were under which the engagement between
them was made, and what his conduct had been from the beginning of
the courtship to the present time. If, after due reflection on
those two subjects, she seriously desired that he should withdraw
his pretensions to the honour of becoming her husband--and if she
would tell him so plainly with her own lips--he would sacrifice
himself by leaving her perfectly free to withdraw from the
engagement."
"No man could say more than that, Miss Halcombe. As to my
experience, few men in his situation would have said as much."
She paused after I had spoken those words, and looked at me with a
singular expression of perplexity and distress.
"I accuse nobody, and I suspect nothing," she broke out abruptly.
"But I cannot and will not accept the responsibility of persuading
Laura to this marriage."
"That is exactly the course which Sir Percival Glyde has himself
requested you to take," I replied in astonishment. "He has begged
you not to force her inclinations."
"And he indirectly obliges me to force them, if I give her his
message."
"How can that possibly be?"
"Consult your own knowledge of Laura, Mr.
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