It would be most right, and most wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering.

Too many cooks spoil the broth

I . . . am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever--& of finding my own story & my own people all forestalled.

You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.

From politics it was an easy step to silence.

Goldsmith tells us, that when lovely woman stoops to folly, she has nothing to do but to die; and when she stoops to be disagreeable, it is equally to be recommended as a clearer of ill-fame.

It was for the sake of what had been, rather than what was.