But he must make up his mind as to some line of conduct.  She must be made to know the truth.  If he meant to reject the lady finally on the score of her being a wild cat, he must tell her so.  He felt very strongly that he must not flinch from the wild cat’s claws.  That he would have to undergo some severe handling, an amount of clawing which might perhaps go near his life, he could perceive.  Having done what he had done he would have no right to shrink from such usage.  He must tell her to her face that he was not satisfied with her past life, and that therefore he would not marry her.  Of course he might write to her;—­but when summoned to her presence he would be unable...