"That I did not consent to go off with him,--anywhere. Of course it would have been my own destruction. I'm not such a fool as not to know that. Do you suppose I have never thought of it;--what it would be to be a man's mistress instead of his wife. If I had not I should be a thing to be hated and despised. When once I had done it I should hate and despise myself. I should feel myself to be loathsome, and, as it were, a beast among women. But why did they not let me marry him, instead of driving me to this? And though I might have destroyed myself, I should have saved the man who is still my husband. Do you know, I told him all that,--told him that if I had gone away with Burgo Fitzgerald he would have another wife, and would have children, and would--?"

"Of course it would have been my destruction. I know that. Do you suppose I have never thought of it? When once I had done it I should hate and despise myself. I should feel myself to be loathsome. But why did they not let me marry him, instead of driving me to this? And though I might have destroyed myself, I should have saved my husband. Do you know, I told him all that - told him that if I had gone away with Burgo Fitzgerald he would have another wife, and would have children?"
