 me, then, under these circumstances, arriving on my first
        visit to Randall's; - and here I am conscious of wrong, for that visit
        might have been sooner paid. You will look back and see that I did not
        come till Miss Fairfax was in Highbury; and as you were the person
        slighted, you will forgive me instantly; but I must work on my father's
        compassion, by reminding him, that so long as I absented myself from his
        house, so long I lost the blessing of knowing you. My behaviour, during
        the very happy fortnight which I spent with you, did not, I hope, lay me
        open to reprehension, excepting on one point. And now I come to the
        principal, the only important part of my conduct while belonging to you,
        which excites my own anxiety, or requires very solicitous explanation.
        With the greatest respect, and the warmest friendship, do I mention Miss
        Woodhouse; my father perhaps will think I ought to add, with the deepest
        humiliation. - A few words which dropped from him yesterday spoke his
        opinion, and some censure I acknowledge myself liable to. - My behaviour
        to Miss Woodhouse indicated, I believe, more than it ought. - In order
        to assist a concealment so essential to me, I was led on to make more
        than an allowable use of the sort of intimacy into which we were
        immediately thrown. - I cannot deny that Miss Woodhouse was my
        ostensible object - but I am sure you will believe the declaration, that
        had I not been convinced of her indifference, I would not have been
        induced by any selfish views to go on. - Amiable and delightful as Miss
        Woodhouse is, she never gave me the idea of a young woman likely to be
        attached; and that she was perfectly free from any tendency to being
        attached to me, was as much my conviction as my wish. - She received my
        attentions with an easy, friendly, goodhumoured playfulness, which
        exactly suited me. We seemed to understand each other. From our relative
        situation, those attentions were her due, and were felt to be so. -
        Whether Miss Woodhouse began really to understand me before the
        expiration of that fortnight, I cannot say; - when I called to take
        leave of her, I remember that I was within a moment of confessing the
        truth, and I then fancied she was not without suspicion; but I have no
        doubt of her having since detected me, at least in some degree. - She
        may not have surmised the whole, but her quickness must have penetrated
        a part. I cannot
