I will now tell you to what I impute his apparent
estrangement; I impute it to honor, sir--to an honorable pride. He
knows now that I am rich; at least comparatively so, and that he is
comparatively poor; he hesitates to renew our relations with each
other lest I might suspect him of mingling a selfish principle with his
affection. That is the conduct of a man of honor; and until the facts
you hint at come out broadly, and to public proof, as such I shall
continue to consider him. But, Mr. Woodward, I shall not rest here; I
shall see him, and give him that to which his previous affection and
honorable conduct have entitled him at my hands--that is, an opportunity
of making an explanation to myself. But, at all events, I assure you of
this fact, that, if I do not marry him, I shall never marry another."
"Great God!" exclaimed Woodward, "what a jewel he has lost. Well, Miss
Goodwin, I have nothing further to say; if I am wrong, time will convict
me. I have mentioned these matters to you, not on my own account but
yours. I have no hope of your affection; and if there were any living
man, except myself, to whom I should wish to see you united, it would
be my brother Charles--that is, if I thought he was worthy of you.
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