He sacrifices everything, an established position, unusual prospects--everything, by pleading guilty.

You see, that's the point.

He has every imaginable inducement to make him face the accusation, even if he has only the merest chance of winning, and yet he runs away.

He runs away--Drake does.

There's only one inference--' 'For the world to draw,' interrupted Mrs.Willoughby; 'and doubtless he meant the world to draw it.