The tears and agitation of my poor sister had rendered her unfit to return to the circle we had left—­so I persuaded her to let me drive her through the park; and, during the ride, I induced her to confide the tale of her unhappiness to me, fancying that talking of it would lighten the burthen, and certain that, if there were a remedy, it should be found and secured to her.

Several weeks had elapsed since the festival of the anniversary, and she had been unable to calm her mind, or to subdue her thoughts to any regular train.  Sometimes she reproached herself for taking too bitterly to heart, that which many would esteem an imaginary evil; but this was no subject for reason; and, ignorant as she was of the motives and true conduct of Raymond, things assumed for her even a worse appearance, than the reality warranted.  He was seldom at the palace; never, but when he was assured that his public duties would prevent his remaining alone with Perdita.  They seldom addressed each other, shunning explanation, each fearing any communication the other might make.  Suddenly, however, the manners of Raymond changed; he appeared to desire to find opportunities of bringing about a return to kindness and intimacy with my sister.  The tide of love towards her appeared to flow again; he could never forget, how once he had been devoted to her, making her the shrine and storehouse wherein to place every thought and every sentiment.  Shame seemed to hold him back; yet he evidently wished to establish a renewal of confidence and affection.  From the moment Perdita had sufficiently recovered herself to form any plan of action, she had laid one down, which now she prepared to follow.  She received these tokens of returning love with gentleness; she did not shun his company; but she endeavoured to place a barrier in the way of familiar intercourse or painful discussion, which mingled pride and shame prevented Raymond from surmounting.  He began at last to shew signs of angry impatience, and Perdita became aware that the system she had adopted could not continue; she must explain herself to him; she could not summon courage to speak—­she wrote thus:—­

“Read this letter with patience, I entreat you.  It will contain no reproaches.  Reproach is indeed an idle word:  for what should I reproach you?

“Allow me in some degree to explain my feeling; without that, we shall both grope in the dark, mistaking one another; erring from the path which may conduct, one of us at least, to a more eligible mode of life than that led by either during the last few weeks.

“I loved you—­I love you—­neither anger nor pride dictates these lines; but a feeling beyond, deeper, and more unalterable than either.  My affections are wounded; it is impossible to heal them:—­cease then the vain endeavour, if indeed that way your endeavours tend.  Forgiveness!  Return!  Idle words are these!  I forgive the pain I endure; but the trodden path cannot be retraced.