rcumstances, and I could trace the conflict of passions in her
bosom--the revulsion at Frank's infidelity, yet the spontaneous
acknowledgment of her heart that he had acted wisely. She was also
reflecting, I was confident, on the weakness that constrained him to
abandon the worship of her image,--however vain and unsatisfactory it
might be,--and to elevate on the altar of his affections such a goddess
as supplied her place. For the young female in whose service Frank was
enrolled was a plump, merry and matter-of-fact girl, destitute of
genius, though possessing all the qualities which adapt woman to fulfill
the duties of the domestic relations.

My time for a final demonstration had now arrived. In the despair of her
abandonment, Evelyn must, either welcome me as her deliverer, or she
must perish in her pride. Death alone could sever us--death alone
furnished me a remedy for the deprivation of her love.

In one of the large, gloomy apartments of the dilapidated palace we
occupied, I sat alone as the twilight was gathering. My pistol case was
on the table at my side. I rang the bell, and directed the servant who
answered it to desire Evelyn's presence, and bring lights. She soon
appeared--cold, passive, incurious, yet beneath this I could see the
confined struggle of passion.

I remarked on her looks as peculiar, and expressed a fear that she was
unwell. No, she assured me, her health was as usual. Perhaps, then, she
did not find her stay in Florence agreeable. Perfectly so. She had no
desire to go or to remain, except as I had arranged in the programme of
our tour. But, I urged, she seemed dejected. Something must have
occurred to depress her mind. Not at all. She was unaware that her humor
was different from ordinary.

'Indeed, Evelyn,' said I, 'there is deception in this, and I insist on
an explanation.'

She looked surprised, but did not yet comprehend my purport; so
answered, in a proper, wife-like manner, that my anxiety had deceived
me--that in all respects her feelings, and, so far as she knew, her
appearance, differed not from what they had been.

'Well, then,' said I, 'your feelings and appearance must be changed. I
will tolerate them no longer.'

Her features evinced the greatest astonishment. 'You are inexplicable,'
she said. 'May I beg to know your meaning?'

'Know it? You shall, and you shall conform yourself to it. Resistance
will be vain, for (displaying the pistols) I have the means of
coercion