"Therefore I desire to say, and to call you all to witness--beginning, Volumnia, with yourself, most solemnly--that I am on unaltered terms with Lady Dedlock. That I assert no cause whatever of complaint against her. That I have ever had the strongest affection for her, and that I retain it undiminished. Say this to herself, and to every one. If you ever say less than this, you will be guilty of deliberate falsehood to me."
Volumnia tremblingly protests that she will observe his injunctions to the letter.
"My Lady is too high in position, too handsome, too accomplished, too superior in most respects to the best of those by whom she is surrounded, not to have her enemies and traducers, I dare say. Let it be known to them, as I make it known to you, that being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, I revoke no disposition I have made in her favour. I abridge nothing I have ever bestowed upon her. I am on unaltered terms with her, and I recall--having the full power to do it if I were so disposed, as you see--no act I have done for her advantage and happiness."

"Therefore I desire to say, and to call you all to witness that I am on unaltered terms with Lady Dedlock. That I have no cause whatever of complaint against her. That I have ever had the strongest affection for her, and retain it undiminished. Say this to her, and to everyone."
Volumnia tremblingly protests that she will obey.
"My Lady is too high in position, too handsome, too accomplished, not to have her enemies. Let it be known to them, that being of sound mind and understanding, I revoke no favour from her. I am on unaltered terms with her, and I retract no act I have done for her advantage and happiness."
