Sir Bale's qualms were symptomatic of something a little less sublime and more selfish than conscience.

The oath which it was impossible to break, perhaps yet more the cold and measured tone with which I spoke, in striving to control the white heat of a passion as much stronger as it was more selfish than hersa tone which sounded to myself unnatural and alienat last compelled her to yield; and silenced her in the only moment in which the depths of that nature, so sweet and soft and gentle, were stirred by the violence of a moral tempest....