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was not entertained without some uneasiness; since he had continually poured in her ears vows of fidelity and love, even at the moment when his heart was paying homage to the abandoned Milwood; and he could not reconcile himself to the thought, that he must soon be looked upon with horror and detestation, by a family which had been used to love and confide in him. Barnwell being resolved to leave his home, addresssed the following letter to Maria:—
"Maria,—I know my absence will surprise my honoured master and yourself; and the more, when you shall understand that the reason of my withdrawing is, my having embezzled part of the cash entrusted to my care. After this, it is needless to inform you I shall return no more. Though this might have been known by examining my accounts, yet to prevent that unnecessary trouble, and to cut off all fruitless expectatations of my return, I have left this from the lost
The sight of the other clerks making up their accounts with unclouded brows, was agonizing in the extreme to the unfortunate youth; and the evening had scarcely closed in, when rifling the desk of its contents, he rushed out of the house, and stayed not till he had reached the house of his mistress. Throwing himself on a seat, in an agony of despair, he exclaimed, "It is over! I
