In my hours of maddening folly I remembered them not; I believed they had gone from me for ever, and I should be happy.

They have returned to torture me, to tell me that as the wife of Lord Alphingham, without the blessing of my parents, I shall be wretched.

I have brought down endless misery on myself--that matters not; but oh, I will not cause them further suffering.

I will no longer wring the heart of my gentle mother, who has so often prayed for her erring child.

Too late, perhaps, I have determined, but the wife of Lord Alphingham I will never be; but his character is still dear to me, and I entreat your Grace not to withdraw your favour from him.