'
"'I should be telling an untruth if I were to say I do not understand
you, and I trust you will pardon me if I tell you that a girl more
worthy of you than Evelina, and one more likely to make you happy, I
have never seen.'
"'Gracious God! what have I done? what a mistake! Miss Eyre, it is you
I mean; it is you I love.'
"There was not an instant's hesitation.
"'Sir, I thank you, but I can answer at once. NEVER can I be yours.
That decision is irrevocable. I admire you, but cannot love you.'
"She parted from him abruptly, but no sooner had she left him than she
was confounded, and wondered who or what it was which gave that answer.
She wavered, and thought of going back, but she did not. Later on in
the day she heard that Charles had gone home, summoned by sudden
business. Two years afterwards his engagement with Evelina was
announced, and in three years they were married. It was not what I
should call a happy marriage, although they never quarrelled and had
five children. To the day of her death Phyllis was not sure whether she
had done right or wrong, nor am I.
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