I acknowledge it now; it is the only retribution I have to offer for a past I am ashamed of.

Without losing one particle of my intention, I governed more carefully my looks and actions, and thought I had succeeded in blinding Adelaide to my real feelings and purpose.

Whether I did or not, I cannot say.

I have no means of knowing now.

She has not been her natural self for these last few days, but she had other causes for worry, and I have been willing enough to think that these were the occasion of her restless ways and short, sharp speech and the blankness with which she met all my attempts to soothe and encourage her.