He answered them, and then, after a time, presumed upon my having written to him.

Oh, Basil, if I could but spare myself the shame of telling you! He made a compact of friendship with me that nothing was ever to break.
I was but a frightened child, and I made it.

He asked me to lend him money.

Oh, Basil, I was but a frightened, terrified girl, and I lent it! Then he tried to make love to me--he flattered me; he followed me like my shadow.

But there I was firm; he could, not frighten me into anything I thought wrong." "Why, the man is a villain!" cried Basil; "an unprincipled, cowardly villain!" "Wait," she said, laying her hand on his arm.