But I cannot love you now--not in the manner you would have me." "And why not, Lady Clara?
Why is love to cease on your part--to be thrown aside so easily by you, while with me it remains so stern a fact, and so deep a necessity?
Is that just?
When the bargain has once been made, should it not be equally binding on us both ?" "I do not think you are fair to me, Mr.Fitzgerald," she said; and some spirit was now rising in her bosom.
"Not fair to you?
Do you say that I am unfair to you?
Speak but one word to say that the troth which you pledged me a year since shall still remain unbroken, and I will at once leave you till you yourself shall name the time when my suit may be renewed." "You know that I cannot do that." "And why not?
I know that you ought to do it." "No, Mr.Fitzgerald, I ought not.

I am now engaged to your cousin, with the consent of mamma and of his friends.

I can say nothing to you now which I cannot repeat to him; nor can I say anything which shall oppose his wishes." "He is then so much more to you now than I am ?" "He is everything to me now." "That is all the reply I am to get then! You acknowledge your falseness, and throw me off without vouchsafing me any answer beyond this." "What would you have me say?
I did do that which was wrong and foolish, when--when we were walking there on the avenue.

I did give a promise which I cannot now keep.

It was all so hurried that I hardly remember what I said.