I met Robert Ashley eight years ago, when I was in the deepest of trouble and in the most desperate state.

I was on an ocean liner, called the Titanic. The Titanic was what changed my life. Before I came on the Titanic, I was a seventeen year old girl with little troubles, but at the same time, a lot to deal with. I had a very blessed life in the beginning. I was a girl of society, and I was rich and I had the...life of a princess. My life for the most part was simple and very peaceful, full of good respectable schools, maids, and all I had to worry about was to make sure that I looked good for the numerous dinner parties that I attended so often.

If only I could go back to those times. Now I think that.

My father had a problem. But even though he had an addiction, I still loved him over my cold, selfish mother. Even when he was gambling all of our money away, I still loved him. Even when he died, leaving behind many debts and many burdens for my Mother and me, I still loved him.

And I still love him today.

My mother couldn't handle the pressure, or the money troubles. So, she placed the problems on me. She had a solution. She had introduced me to the wealthy Caledon Hockley, the son of Nathaniel Hockley, the steel tycoon. And then, plans were arranged and soon enough, I was engaged to Caledon Hockley in order to save my mother and me from working, or suffering financially.

I hated it, and I protested. For one thing, I was seventeen. I was still a young girl! My friends, they didn't have to marry, and they weren't planning on getting married sonn. It was as if I was forced to grow up in a rush–something I wasn't ready for.

And then, there was Cal himself. I hated him before and I hate him now. I already knew how my marriage was going to be like with him. I knew plenty of girls who married old men and ended up having very unhappy marriages, and I didn't see this marriage to be of any exception whatsoever. Cal was polished and well-mannered and cool, yes, but when we were alone, he would completely change. He was demanding and controlling, and jealous and arrogant, and God, he was abusive. He treated me like a foolish child, slapping me in the mouth every time I talked back or even looked as if I was going to argue with him in any way. I couldn't bare the thought of spending my life with Cal. My mother gave me a very huge burden on my shoulders.

So, I was seventeen and engaged when I went on the Titanic. And also, I was unhappy, very depressed. And if it weren't for Jack Dawson, I would have killed myself long ago.

I met Jack Dawson when I was on the Titanic. He became my friend and l learned to trust him, after he saved my life the first time. He was poor, but that didn't matter to me, even if it mattered to my mother and Cal. I fell in love with him, and we had plans. I admit: I was using Jack in the beginning, and I was planning on running away with him, and marrying him.

And then the Titanic hit an iceberg and went down and ruined everything. Jack died, leaving me, once again, back with Cal and my burden.

After the sinking, Cal and mother found me again, and I went to Philadelphia with them. It was agreed that I would live with mother, until the wedding, which was in August.

During that time, I met Robert Ashley.

I was doing a little shopping alone, when I met Robert in the most usual position: he was in an argument with a policeman. What crime it was, I never really knew clear enough until months later. Well, I don't know how I did it, but I accidently got him out of trouble. And when I did, he was grateful. He was so grateful, that he followed me around the entire time, telling me thank you. He must have been infatuated by me too, and I admit, I was also infatuated. He reminded me of Jack in a way, except he seemed more refined.

Anyway, at around the time I was becoming friends with Robert Ashley, I was having some serious problems. He minor problem was the fact that my wedding date was getting closer and closer. My major problem was shameful; I was pregnant.

Three months after the Titanic sinking and Jack, I became certain that I was pregnant–Mother had told me a little bit of information about sex and pregnancy after my engagement. I knew who the baby was for; I never slept with Cal and Cal believed that I was still as pure as a lily, and he wanted it to stay that way until the wedding night. But...I knew I was wrong for taking my affair with Jack a little too far. But I was a child and I was ignorant; I listened to the silly things girls whispered to each other, ideas about how a girl couldn't get pregnant the first time she was with a man. I was certain I was going to get away with it; and also, I was planning on running away with Jack and marrying him; the sinking wasn't supposed to happen.

So, I was engaged to one man, pregnant for another man that wasn't my husband, and I didn't know what to do, or who to tell. I was so scared. My mother was going to hate me and scold me, and call me a disgrace. And Cal...God, I was scared of him. If he found out that I was pregnant for Jack, he'll...I didn't even want to think of the possibilities. I cried myself to sleep every night over this. What was I going to with this little one?

Soon after I became aware that I was pregnant, I met Robert Ashley again. I went with him to a place where I was sure know would recognize me, and get me into trouble again. We talked for awhile and then we laughed and then we became silent.

And when he asked for the reason why I always looked so scared, I took a deep breath–because I trusted him now, and he was involved now, and because I just had to tell someone, anyone–and explained everything to him. I explained Cal, my mother, the Titanic, Jack, and finally I told him that I was pregnant. After I had finished, I cried, completely out of shame.

"I know what you're going to think of me now," I sobbed, tears rolling my cheeks.

"No, what do I think of you?" he asked innocently, before I could continue.

I just stared at him for a minute. Was he crazy? "You're going to think I'm a whore," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. "You're going to think I'm some stupid girl, and I'm no different than one of those bad girls and street walkers! But please–please, I'm not that. I know I was wrong and I know I shouldn't have done it, even though I loved the man I was with. But I can't change that, and now I need help and"–this was said in a tearful whisper–"I'm scared, Mr. Ashley."

After I finished, he sighed sharply. He seemed to be annoyed. "Stop that, you–child! Obviously you do think it's wrong–you wouldn't be sitting here sobbing if you didn't think it was wrong! I understand you made the mistake, but God, crying never solves a problem and I'm not going to let you sit here and think that's the only thing you can do."

He gave me a handkerchief and he waited for me to clean my face before he continued.

"Remember what I told you when I first met you? You help me and I'll help you? Well, I haven't forgotten it. And I didn't forget the time you helped me when we first met. And now, I'm going to help you. Listen: you told me before you didn't love your fiancé, how scared you are of him. Do you want to live like that? No, you don't, I can tell in your eyes how you don't want to. And I won't allow you to. Rose, love-- you're going to leave, and you're coming with me." The last sentence was said in a straightforward, matter-of-fact tone.

"With you?" I exclaimed, my green-blue eyes flashing. "I hardly know you! How could I leave and go with you, when I–"

"Either you come with me now, or deal with your fiancé and mother later, " he said. And then in whisper, "I'm taking a train to Brooklyn tomorrow and I could always sneak you on, and I'm always looking for someone to travel with. Now do you want to come or not? You only have till tomorrow to decide."

Of course I thought about it, and I thought about it quick too. This man–who didn't judge me, or scold me, and was willing to take and save an unmarried pregnant girl who had committed adultery–seemed like my savior in an instant. He was honest too. He wanted me to come with him, travel with him, which seemed exciting and just made me feel giddy for the first time in a long time. All I could think about was how he was helping me and how exciting he was.

The next morning, I, Rose DeWitt-Bukater, three months pregnant, and with a suitcase in hand, sat in a train on the way to Brooklyn, New York, with Robert Ashley.