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Rh The effect my involuntary disclosure had upon her was well adapted to probe afresh the wounds so long rankling within me of humiliating self-abasement. From that time I redoubled my exertions, and through my improving finances have been fortunately enabled to return that of which I deprived you.

"This, together with the accompanying explanation, I fervently hope will afford fall proof of my sincerity, and some atonement for my offence. Never, I fear, can it restore me to your good opinion; nor can I expect it, not having forgiven myself. It is not that I dread, however justly deserved, the effects of your resentment, but to banish, if possible, my own recollections, that I hasten, so soon as this act of restitution is completed, to exile myself for ever from England, the scene of my transgression.

"That you may the sooner be enabled to bury the past in oblivion, I pray Heaven to grant you a recompense of prosperity proportioned to your high deserts, in the better fortune awaiting you. And believe me sincere when I add, that not any of your friends rejoiced more truly than I did, when reading in the Gazette among the promotions the name of De Brooke. But while I feel that the deep interest I take in your welfare entitles