We were affectionate playfellows during childhood, and, I believe, dear and valued friends to one another as we grew older.

But as brother and sister often entertain a lively affection towards each other without desiring a more intimate union, may not such also be our case?
Tell me, dearest Victor.

Answer me, I conjure you by our mutual happiness, with simple truth--Do you not love another?
"You have travelled; you have spent several years of your life at Ingolstadt; and I confess to you, my friend, that when I saw you last autumn so unhappy, flying to solitude from the society of every creature, I could not help supposing that you might regret our connection and believe yourself bound in honour to fulfil the wishes of your parents, although they opposed themselves to your inclinations.
But this is false reasoning.

I confess to you, my friend, that I love you and that in my airy dreams of futurity you have been my constant friend and companion.

But it is your happiness I desire as well as my own when I declare to you that our marriage would render me eternally miserable unless it were the dictate of your own free choice.