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Andthenwebrokedown。WebrokeourfaithwithbothMargaretandShoesmith，flungcareeranddutyoutofourlives，andwentawaytogether。
Itisonlynow，almostayearaftertheseevents，thatIcanbegintoseewhathappenedtome。AtthetimeitseemedtomeIwasarational，responsiblecreature，butindeedIhadnotpartedfromhertwodaysbeforeIbecameamonomaniactowhomnothingcouldmatterbutIsabel。Everytruthhadtobesquaredtothatobsession，everyduty。ItastoundsmetothinkhowIforgotMargaret，forgotmywork，forgoteverythingbutthatwetwowereparted。Istillbelievethatwithbetterchanceswemighthaveescapedtheconsequencesoftheemotionalstormthatpresentlyseizedusboth。
Butwehadnoforesightofthat，andnopreparationforit，andourcircumstancesbetrayedus。ItwaspartlyShoesmith\'sunwisdomindelayinghismarriageuntilaftertheendofthesession——partlymyownamazingfollyinreturningwithinfourdaystoWestminster。Butwewereallofusintentuponthedefeatofscandalandthecompleterestorationofappearances。ItseemednecessarythatShoesmith\'smarriageshouldnotseemtobehurried，stillmorenecessarythatI
shouldnotvanishinexplicably。IhadtobevisiblewithMargaretinLondonjustasmuchaspossible；wewenttorestaurants，wevisitedthetheatre；wecouldevencontemplatethepossibilityofmypresenceatthewedding。Forthat，however，wehadschemedaweekendvisittoWales，andafictitioussprainedankleatthelastmomentwhichwouldjustifymyabsence……