“Then； sir； listen。 You were from home last night？”
“I was： I know that； and you hinted a while ago at something which had happened in my absence：… nothing； probably； of consequence； but； in short； it has disturbed you。 Let me hear it。 Mrs。 Fairfax has said something； perhaps？ or you have overheard the servants talk？— your sensitive self…respect has been wounded？”
“No； sir。” It struck twelve—I waited till the time…piece had concluded its silver chime； and the clock its hoarse； vibritting stroke； and then I proceeded。
“All day yesterday I was very busy； and very happy in my ceaseless bustle； for I am not； as you seem to think； troubled by any haunting fears about the new sphere； et cetera： I think it a glorious thing to have the hope of living with you； because I love you。 No； sir； don’t caress me now—let me talk undisturbed。 Yesterday I trusted well in Providence； and believed that events were working together for your good and mine： it was a fine day； if you recollect—the calmness of the air and sky forbade apprehensions respecting your safety or fort on your journey。 I walked a little while on the pavement after tea； thinking of you； and I beheld you in imagination so near me； I scarcely missed your actual presence。 I thought of the life that lay before me—your life； sir—an existence more expansive and stirring than my own： as much more so as the depths of the sea to which the brook runs are than the shallows of its own strait channel。 I wondered why moralists call this world a dreary wilderness： for me it blossomed like a rose。 Just at sunset； the air turned cold and the sky cloudy： I went in； Sophie called me upstairs to look at my wedding…dress； which they had just brought； and under it in the box I found your present—the veil which； in you