Though I confess that the idea of being thus connected with a woman whom I have been able to dishonor would be rather hard to surmount. It would hurt even my delicacy, little as you may think me to possess, to have a wife I know to be seducible.

Explain

The given lines are from major Peter Sanford to his friend Charles Deighton telling his regret at treating Eliza the way he had done before her death.

Explanation:

Hannah Webster Foster's The Coquette tells the story of Eliza and her affair with the married Major Peter Sanford.

The given lines are from Letter LXX addressed to a Mr. Charles Deighton from Major Peter Sanford. In it, he expressed his regret at the treatment he gave to Eliza during her lifetime. He told his friend how he would gladly comply if Nancy ever asks for a divorce and would only make it easier for him to take Eliza to be his own legally. And that, to him, is better for it will be a good thing "to have a wife I know to be seducible." He narrates how he thinks being connected to a woman he was having an affair with is of surmount importance but he gladly accepts it.