“I have very little to say for my own conduct.⁠—I was tempted by his attentions, and allowed myself to appear pleased.⁠—An old story, probably⁠—a common case⁠—and no more than has happened to hundreds of my sex before; and yet it may not be the more excusable in one who sets up as I do for understanding. Many circumstances assisted the temptation. He was the son of Mr. Weston⁠—he was continually here⁠—I always found him very pleasant⁠—and, in short, for (with a sigh) let me swell out the causes ever so ingeniously, they all centre in this at last⁠—my vanity was flattered, and I allowed his attentions. Latterly, however⁠—for some time, indeed⁠—I have had no idea of their meaning anything.⁠—I thought them a habit, a trick, nothing that called for seriousness on my side. He has imposed on me, but he has not injured me. I have never been attached to him. And now I can tolerably comprehend his behaviour. He never wished to attach me. It was merely a blind to conceal his real situation with another.⁠—It was his object to blind all about him; and no one, I am sure, could be more effectually blinded than myself⁠—except that I was not blinded⁠—that it was my good fortune⁠—that, in short, I was somehow or other safe from him.”