# Quote — Louisa May Alcott, A Long Fatal Love Chase

> Because in spite of this longing, I know that I shall purchase happiness at high price if I return; that new falsehood may betray me, new tyranny oppress me, and above all I feel that with this man I must lose more and more the love of all good things, so strong is his influence, so unprincipled his nature. My only hope is that I may save his soul and yet not lose my own. Can I, dare I do this?

- Author: [Louisa May Alcott](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott.md)
- Book: [A Long Fatal Love Chase](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Louisa_May_Alcott#A_Long_Fatal_Love_Chase_(1866)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase/because-in-spite

## More from this book

> For an hour Rosamond paced up and down the deck reveling in the breezy motion of the boat, the delicious sense of freedom which possessed her, the atmosphere of romance which surrounded her. Tempest lounged beside her, watching her beautiful face, listening to her happy voice, and enjoying her innocent companionship with the relish of a man eager for novelty and skillful in the art of playing on that delicate instrument, a woman's heart.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase/for-an-hour.md)

> The sin is yours, but the shame and sorrow are mine, the past I cannot retrieve, the future is still unspoiled and I will not embitter it by any willful sin. Before I was innocently guilty, now I should be doubly guilty if I went back to the 'gay free life I love.' Atone for the wrong you have done me by ceasing to tempt and trouble me. I will not yield, though you hunt me to death.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase/the-sin-is-yours.md)

> Not another day or hour would she remain, no help was possible, no atonement could retrieve the past, no love or pity, pardon or excuse should soften the sharp pang of reparation for the guilty man. To go instantly and forever was her only thought, and this gave her strength to rise and look about her.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/louisa-may-alcott/a-long-fatal-love-chase/not-another-day.md)