It seemed to me that Lucy was aware of my love; but that, for
some motive which I could not guess, she would fain have repelled
me; but then again I saw, or fancied I saw, that her heart spoke in
my favour, and that there was a struggle going on in her mind,
which at times (I loved so dearly) I could have begged her to spare
herself, even though the happiness of my whole life should have
been the sacrifice; for her complexion grew paler, her aspect of
sorrow more hopeless, her delicate frame yet slighter. During this
period I had written, I should say, to my uncle, to beg to be
allowed to prolong my stay at Harrogate, not giving any reason; but
such was his tenderness towards me, that in a few days I heard from
him, giving me a willing permission, and only charging me to take
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