Poor mamma loves me, after a selfish worldly fashion, and there are moments when I really think she pities me; but from Palma influence and association wealth has long been her most precious fetich.  Poverty, obscurity terrify her, and for the fleshpots of fashion she would literally sell me, as she once sold herself to Godwin Palma.  Repeatedly I have been urged to accept offers of marriage that revolted every instinct of my nature, that seemed insulting to a woman who long ago gave away all that was best, in her heart’s idolatrous love.  To-day my Belmont is ten-fold dearer, than when in the dawning flush of womanhood, I plighted my lifelong faith to him; and reigns more royally than ever over all that is good and true in my perverted and cynical nature.  I cling to him, to my faith in his noble, manly, unselfish, undying love for me, unworthy as I have grown, even as a drowning wretch to some overhanging bough, which alone saves her from the black destruction beneath.  Unable to conquer the opposition he encountered here, Belmont went West, and finally strayed into the solitudes of Oregon and British America.  At one time, for a year, I did not know whether he were living or dead, and what torture I silently endured!  Six months ago he returned, buoyed by the hope of retrieving his past; and one of his pictures was bought by a wealthy man in Philadelphia, who had commissioned him to paint two more landscapes.  At last we began to dream of an humble little home somewhere, where at least we should have the blessing of our mutual love and presence.  The thought was magnetic,—­it showed me there was some good left in my poor scoffing soul; that I possessed capacity for happiness, for self-sacrificing devotion to my noble Belmont,—­that made our future seem a canticle.  Oh! how delicious was the release I imagined!”

She groaned aloud, and rocked herself to and fro, with a hopelessness that awed and grieved her pale mute listener.

“The Fates are fond of Erle Palma.  They will pet him to the end, for he is a man after their own flinty hearts; pitiless as those grim three, whom Michael Angelo must have seen during nightmare.  When I think how he will gloat over the overthrow of my darling hope, I feel that it is scarcely safe for me to remain under his roof; I am so powerfully tempted to strangle him.  Exposure to the rigour of two winters in the far North-West has seriously undermined Belmont’s health.  His physician apprehends consumption, and orders him to hasten to Southern Europe, or South America.”

For some moments Olga was silent, and her mournful eyes were fixed on the wall, with a half vacant stare, as her thoughts wandered to her unfortunate lover.

Regina could scarcely realize that this pallid face so full of anguish was the radiant mocking countenance she had hitherto seen only in mask, and taking her hand she pressed it gently to recall her attention.

“Feeling as you do, dear Olga, how can you think of marrying Mr. Congreve?”