A week in her presence, and marriage with Adelaide became impossible.

But how evade it?
I only knew the coward's way; to lure this inexperienced young girl, fresh from school, into a runaway match.

A change which now became perceptible in Miss Cumberland's manner, only egged me on.

It was not sufficiently marked in character to call for open explanation, yet it was unmistakable to one on the watch as I was, and betokened a day of speedy reckoning for which I was little prepared.

I know what the manly course would have been, but I preferred to skulk.