gave them, and, looking on him as the primary
cause of my marrying Deborah, I not only refused to resign them, but
upbraided him with his sordidness on that occasion. This produced a
quarrel which has never been healed: he forswore--disowned me! This
scene was followed by one nearly equal to it with my wife; which adding
to my disgust, I directed my lawyer where to remit my small fortune,
(for as I lived not with Deborah, I disdained all thoughts of hers) and
once more returned to the arms of my Ellenor.

"Months again flew; when our happiness received its first shock by the
sudden death of our invaluable friend Mrs. Radnor; and this was followed
by your departure for the West Indies. Love, however, overcame these
afflictions; my Ellenor became pregnant, and I was in expectation of
soon being hailed by the name of father; when one day, sitting with my
angel, fondly anticipating future felicities, the door was thrown open,
and Deborah, accompanied by my lawyer, rushed into the room!

"To describe the scene which followed, is impossible: even now the
recollection of it nearly maddens me! Deborah acted congenially to the
fury of her character; aspersed my Ellenor, and reviled me with every
opprobrious epithet the wildest passion, heightened by jealousy, could
dictate; nor ceased--till Ellenor, overcome by the disclosure of the
baleful secret, fainted in my arms; then, with the same violence as she
entered, flew out of the room, followed by her companion, vowing to be
revenged, though she expended her fortune in accomplishing it!

"At last my Ellenor recovered: not a single reproach at my conduct
escaped her lips, but her countenance plainly showed the agony of her
mind. Willing to lessen the idea of my guilt, which had been exaggerated
by the frantic Deborah, I recapitulated the circumstances I have now
related, and, with all the eloquence I was master of, pleaded the
affection I entertained for her, as an excuse for the deceit I had
practised. She heard me in silence; a convulsive sob swelled her bosom;
and, on my again urging her forgiveness, she regarded me with a look of
mingled anguish and despair. Tears at last relieved her, and she
requested to be conducted to her chamber; I supported her there, and,
leaving her to the care of her maid, returned to the parlour, my bosom
filled with a sorrow and remorse that have never since deserted it! I
was roused from reflections painful in the extreme, by a message from
Debor