But I acted wisely, and honorably; did I not? I did my duty, when the
temptation to neglect it was exceeding hard to resist. I went away from
the woman whom I loved, because I loved her, and respected my own name and
honor, too much to remain. It was better to break my heart, I said, than
take advantage of my position at the hall, to engage a young girl's heart,
and drag her down, in case she loved me, to the poor low sphere in which I
moved. If her father had said to me, "You have abused the trust I placed
in you, and acted with duplicity," I think it would have ruined me,
forever, in my own esteem. And would he not have had the right to say it?

So I came away from the temptation while I could, and plunged into my
proper work on earth, and found relief; but I loved her still.

Shall I speak of the correspondence which ensued between the squire and
myself? 'Twas a somewhat singular one, and revealed to me something which
I was before quite ignorant of. It is here beneath my hand; let us look at
it. It passed soon after my departure:

"Barrington Hall, Nov. 20, 18--.

"MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND:

"Since your somewhat abrupt departure, I have considered that
event with some attention, and fear that it was occasioned by
a want of kindness in myself, or some member of my family. I
saw with regret that Mrs. Barrington did not seem to look
upon you with as much favor as I hoped. If any word or action
of mine has wounded you, I pray you to forget and pardon it.