again.

I have come to the hour of my destruction--the 16th of June, 1722. The
smouldering fires which had laboured in my breast for nine months burst
into a flame which overwhelmed both Aurelia and me. I committed an
unpardonable sin, I endeavoured to repair it with an act of well-nigh
incredible temerity. What occurred on that night is, in fact, the origin
of these Memoirs and their sole justification. The dawn of that
momentous day found her a loving and honoured wife; and its close left
her, innocent as she was, under the worst suspicion which can fall upon
a good woman. It found me a hopeful gentleman of means and prospects;
and I went out of it into the dark, a houseless wanderer, to consort
with profligates, thieves and murderers.




CHAPTER IV

FATAL AVOWAL


I shall not deny that the overnight's tenderness may have wrought in me
the dangerous ecstasy which was to prove so cruel a requital of it; for
it is of the nature of love to be inflamed by the least hint of a
neighbouring, answering fire. I believe that I could have been for ever
Aurelia's mute, adoring, unasking slave, but for the fact that she had
sighed, and whispered me "Checho," and twice suffered me to kiss her
hands. Fatal benevolence that lifted suddenly the meek! Fatal wealth
bestowed that made the pauper purse-proud! I had passed the night in a