‘I learnt it in America where I long resided,’ rejoined the Armenian.

‘This is for your eye, lady,’ continued the monk, drawing a letter from his bosom.

Lady Annabel felt not a little surprised; but the idea immediately occurred to her that it was some conventual memorial appealing to her charity.  She took the paper from the monk, who immediately moved away; but what was the agitation of Lady Annabel when she recognised the handwriting of her husband!  Her first thought was to save Venetia from sharing that agitation.  She rose quickly; she commanded herself sufficiently to advise her daughter, in a calm tone, to remain seated, while for a moment she refreshed herself by a stroll.  She had not quitted Venetia many paces, when she broke the seal and read these lines: 

’Tremble not, Annabel, when you recognise this handwriting.  It is that of one whose only aspiration is to contribute to your happiness; and although the fulfilment of that fond desire may be denied him, it never shall be said, even by you, that any conduct of his should now occasion you annoyance.  I am in Venice at the peril of my life, which I only mention because the difficulties inseparable from my position are the principal cause that you did not receive this communication immediately after our strange meeting.  I have gazed at night upon your palace, and watched the forms of my wife and our child; but one word from you, and I quit Venice for ever, and it shall not be my fault if you are ever again disturbed by the memory of the miserable Herbert.

’But before I go, I will make this one appeal if not to your justice, at least to your mercy.  After the fatal separation of a life, we have once more met:  you have looked upon me not with hatred; my hand has once more pressed yours; for a moment I indulged the impossible hope, that this weary and exhausted spirit might at length be blessed.  With agony I allude to the incident that dispelled the rapture of this vision.  Sufficient for me most solemnly to assure you that four-and-twenty hours had not elapsed without that feeble and unhallowed tie being severed for ever!  It vanished instantaneously before the presence of my wife and my child.  However you decide, it can never again subsist:  its utter and eternal dissolution was the inevitable homage to your purity.

’Whatever may have been my errors, whatever my crimes, for I will not attempt to justify to you a single circumstance of my life, I humble myself in the dust before you, and solicit only mercy; yet whatever may have been my career, ah!  Annabel, in the infinite softness of your soul was it not for a moment pardoned?  Am I indeed to suffer for that last lamentable intrusion?  You are a woman, Annabel, with a brain as clear as your heart is pure.  Judge me with calmness, Annabel; were there no circumstances in my situation to extenuate that deplorable connection?  I will not urge them; I will not even intimate them; but surely, Annabel, when I kneel before you full of deep repentance and long remorse, if you could pardon the past, it is not that incident, however mortifying to you, however disgraceful to myself, that should be an impassable barrier to all my hopes!