“Marrying him!  I do not; I am not yet quite so degraded as that implies.  I would sooner buy a pistol, or an ounce of arsenic, and end all this misery.  While Belmont lives, I belong to him; I love him as I never have loved any one else; but when he is taken from me, only Heaven sees what will be my wretched fate.  Destiny has made a football of the most precious hope that ever gladdened a woman’s heart, and when the end comes, I rather think Erle Palma will not curl his granite lips, and taunt me.  My assent to the Congreve purchase is but a ruse; in other words, honest words, a disgraceful subterfuge, fraud, to gain time.  I can bear the life I lead no longer, and ere many days I shall burst my fetters, and snatch freedom, no matter what cost I pay hereafter.”

“Olga, you cannot mean that you intend——­”

“No matter what I intend, I shall not falter when the time comes.  Yesterday I went to see his mother—­poor patient sufferer—­and to learn the latest tidings from my darling.  You saw me when I entered, and no doubt puzzled your brains to reconcile the inconsistency of my conduct.  Your delicate reticence entitles you to this explanation.  Now you know all my sorrow, and no matter what happens you must not betray my movements.  From this house, my letters to Belmont have been intercepted, and our correspondence has long been conducted under cover to his mother.”

“Where is he now?”

“In Philadelphia.”

“How is he?”

“No better.  His physician says January must find him en route to a warmer climate.”

“When did you see him last?”

“In September.  Even then his cough rendered me anxious, but he laughed at my apprehensions.  O God! be merciful to him and to me!  I know I am unworthy; I know I have a bitter wicked tongue, and a world of hate in my heart; but if God would be pitiful, if He only spares my darling’s life, I will try to be a better woman.”

She leaned her head once more on Regina’s shoulder, and burst into a flood of tears, the first her companion had ever seen her shed.  After some minutes the sympathizing listener said: 

“Perhaps if you appealed frankly to Mr. Palma, and showed him the dreadful suffering of your heart, he would relent.”

“You do not know him.  Does a lion relent with his paw upon his prey?”

“His opposition must arise from an erroneous view of what would best promote your happiness.  He cannot be actuated by merely vindictive motives, and I am sure he would sympathize with you if he realized the intensity of your feelings.”

“I would as soon expect ancient Cheops to dissolve in tears at the recital of my woes; or that statue of Washington in Union Place to dismount and wipe my eyes!  An Eggleston once defied and triumphed over him in the court-room; and defeat Erle Palma never forgets, never forgives.  He proposes to give me ten thousand dollars as a bridal present, when owning millions, I need it not; and to-day one-half that amount would make me the happiest woman in all America, would enable Belmont to travel south and re-establish his health, would render two wretched souls everlastingly happy and grateful!  Ah how happy!”