My God! what had I fallen upon? What had drawn me to Florence? What had haunted me until my mission was fulfilled.
The third and last paper was a letter addressed to Mr. Travers. Should I read it or not? I began to put it into the envelope, but something seemed to stay my hand, to bid me read it. Again I pushed it from me, and again my hand was palsied. So at last I opened it, and slowly and reverently, read the burning heart secret, which had borne her to her grave:
My Darling Father:
When you read these lines, if you ever do, I shall have left you forever: so I know you will forgive your seemingly wayward daughter. You know what a happy, care-free child I left you to go to Europe and you know what a pale, broken-hearted woman I returned to you; but, you do not know the cause. How shall I tell you? Anita Russino was my room-mate in the convent of the "Sacred Heart" for five years. She graduated first and returned to her home, while I stayed in Paris to finish my course, but we corresponded, and she had much to say about her brother, Raphalio, and sent me his picture. He was extremely handsome, in the Italian style, and if my heart had not already been given into Earl Melville's keeping, I should without doubt, have given it to him, but I loved Earl with my whole soul, and there was no room therein for another.
When Aunt left me in Florence I was ill of a fever, at Anita's home, where we had been invited for a month. I was sick some time after she left.
When I got around again, I saw that Raphalio was violently in love with me, and indeed his sister told me so, long before he did, for I kept him at such a distance. He was terribly cut up when I refused him, and Nita upbraided me sorely. I wanted to return home, but they would not hear of it. It was after I wrote for permission to stay. Well, he gave me no peace. I grew afraid of him; hid myself when I saw him coming, and scarcely spoke to him at all in company.
All at once I saw he took no more notice of me than I did of him, and I grew happy once more. Nita was going to be married; it was to be a grand affair, and she begged as a last favor that I would accompany her to the altar, with Raphalio as my escort. He seemed so cool and distant, and I wished to oblige my friend, so I consented. I was furnished a lovely, light-blue satin dress, and an exquisite point veil, which Nita said was the custom of the country.
As we entered the great church, all ablaze with lights, and fragrant with flowers, murmurs of admiration followed us. I glanced at Raphalio: he looked like some glorious prince, and his eyes glowed upon me as if they would burn me up. A rush of blood to my head flushed my cheeks, and tingled to my finger ends. I felt as if taking part in a dream.
Once during the ceremony Nita touched me, and said:
"Say yes, Elinor, say yes." Thinking it some part of their marriage service, I unhesitatingly said "yes." At last the services over, we sought the vestry, and I was requested to sign my name in the register. I did so.
Soon I was handed a paper. "What is this for? what shall I do with it?" I asked.
Smilingly the priest, pastor, or whatever they called him, said, "What do with? Keep, your marriage certificate."
"My what? I am not married."
"The lady is mistaken, she is married, very fast, no mistake, all legal."
I looked at Nita, she blushed and her eyes fell. I looked at Raphalio. Oh! such a triumphantly-passionate look as passed over his beautiful, hateful face.
"It will not stand." I cried. "I have been deceived; I did not want to marry him."
"Then, lady, you should not have come, it was a double wedding, of which I have had several lately, and you gave your consent at the altar, or I should have refused to marry you,
