That woman has been the evil fate of my life.

Years ago, when we were both young, I loved her as honestly as man could love a woman; and she professed to love me in return.

But I was poor; and she would not marry me.

She sent me off, yet she would not let me forget her.

She would always write to me just enough to keep up hope and interest; and she knew for years that all my object in striving for fortune was to win her.