"Whatever conclusions you draw, Astræa, I know you have too firm a reliance on my truth and devotion not to believe that I am actuated by the purest motives. Have I not always been sincere and frank with you?" "Always." "Have you not an implicit confidence in the steadfastness of my love?" "Were it otherwise, should I be now standing here questioning you, or should there be need of questions of this kind between us? Confidence! Why am I so sensitive to the slightest fluctuations of tone and manner I observe in you, and where do I derive the intuitive perception of their meanings? Love must have confidence! But it has instincts also. I feel there is something--I am sure of it--but I will urge you no further. It is not, perhaps, for your happiness or mine that I should seek to know." "Astræa," I exclaimed, passionately, "there is nothing I would conceal from you that I think you ought to know, or that would make you happier to know; and if I have any reserve from you, it is for your sake, and you must ascribe it to the tenderness of my regard for you." "For _my_ sake?" she repeated, with a slightly terrified and curious expression. "Now listen to me; I have something to say to you which is of more importance to us both than these wise, loving conjectures of yours. Take my arm, and let us get into the Park." We were near one of the inclosures of the Regent's Park; and when we reached a more secluded place, I resumed: "First of all, I should like to have your own unbiased opinion about your friends with whom you are residing. Have you observed any change in their manner toward you?" "Change? None whatever." "Do you think--I mean from any thing you have yourself noticed--that they have watched our actions or been inquisitive in our affairs?" She looked inquiringly at me, and hesitated. "I think it would be impossible to be much with them and escape their _persiflage_, let us act as we might. But beyond that sort of idle criticism which they deal out indiscriminately to every body, I have observed nothing. Why do you ask?" "Because I have reason to believe that my attentions to you have attracted more observation than either of us suspected; and that, in fact, they have made such remarks on us as no longer leaves our future course at our own time or option." "You have reason to believe this?" "The best possible reason." "Who is your authority?" "Will you not accept my own authority, without seeking further?" "No. It is not a time to hold back from any false delicacy to me, or any mistaken respect for the confidence of others. Beware of such confidences, if there be any. They are not meant for your peace or mine, but to plunge us both into an abyss in which we shall be left to perish. I must know all. I am entitled to know it. If your love be a hundredth part as strong and devoted, and as prepared for sacrifice as mine, you will place a full and entire trust in me."