The original was all her own--her own happy thoughts and gentle diction.

But what could I do!--we were engaged, every thing in preparation, the day almost fixed--But I am talking like a fool.

Preparation!--day!--In honest words, her money was necessary to me, and in a situation like mine, any thing was to be done to prevent a rupture.

And after all, what did it signify to my character in the opinion of Marianne and her friends, in what language my answer was couched ?--It must have been only to one end.

My business was to declare myself a scoundrel, and whether I did it with a bow or a bluster was of little importance.-- 'I am ruined for ever in their opinion--' said I to myself--'I am shut out for ever from their society, they already think me an unprincipled fellow, this letter will only make them think me a blackguard one.' Such were my reasonings, as, in a sort of desperate carelessness, I copied my wife's words, and parted with the last relics of Marianne.