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The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins
page 20 of 549 (03%)

"Quite sure. But I don't say what my uncle says. Pray don't think
that!"

He suddenly pressed me to his bosom, and fixed his eyes on mine.
His look frightened me.

"Good-by, Valeria!" he said. "Try and think kindly of me, my
darling, when you are married to some happier man."

He attempted to leave me. I clung to him in an agony of terror
that shook me from head to foot.

"What do you mean?" I asked, as soon as I could speak. "I am
yours and yours only. What have I said, what have I done, to
deserve those dreadful words?"

"We must part, my angel," he answered, sadly. "The fault is none
of yours; the misfortune is all mine. My Valeria! how can you
marry a man who is an object of suspicion to your nearest and
dearest friends? I have led a dreary life. I have never found in
any other woman the sympathy with me, the sweet comfort and
companionship, that I find in you. Oh, it is hard to lose you! it
is hard to go back again to my unfriended life! I must make the
sacrifice, love, for your sake. I know no more why that letter is
what it is than you do. Will your uncle believe me? will your
friends believe me? One last kiss, Valeria! Forgive me for having
loved you--passionately, devotedly loved you. Forgive me--and let
me go!"

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