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"No it doesn't; I assure you it doesn't. Having supposed that

there was sense where there is no sense, and a laudable ambition

where there is not a laudable ambition, I am well out of my

mistake, and no harm is done. Young women have committed similar

follies often before, and have repented them in poverty and

obscurity often before. In an unselfish aspect, I am sorry that

the thing is dropped, because it would have been a bad thing for

me in a worldly point of view; in a selfish aspect, I am glad

that the thing has dropped, because it would have been a bad

thing for me in a worldly point of view--it is hardly necessary

to say I could have gained nothing by it. There is no harm at all

done. I have not proposed to the young lady, and, between

ourselves, I am by no means certain, on reflection, that I ever

should have committed myself to that extent. Mr.