justice, DO hearing, he tore her letter open, then
flung it from him, with an oath, as he saw its
heading, * No. — ^ Champs Elysees, Paris.' It was
confirmation only too strong of Carlton's tale for
him to doubt it.
^ He has deserted her, and she turns to me to be-
fool me a second time ! ' was his madman's thought
as he flung her letter from him ; then resealed with-
out reading it, and directed it back to her before his
purpose should fail him. So, in our madness, we fling
our better fate, happiness away ! One letter still re-
mained unread, indeed unnoticed, which De Vigne
neyer saw until he took it up to light his pipe late
that night; then he opened it mechanically, glanced
to the last line, and found the signature was that
of the valet whom he had dischiarged for reading
Alma's note in Wilton Crescent: *A begging-
letter, of course,' he thought, too heart-sick with
his own thoughts to pay more heed to it, as he
struck a match, held it in the flame, and lighted
his meerchaum with it.
So we throw aside, as valueless cards, the ho-
nours life deals us in its uncertain whist !
END OF VOL. II.
LONDON : PRINTED BT W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAH70&D STBEET,
AND CHABING CS08S.
