ved the first and last news
I have ever had of my lost bride. It came in a short and cautiously
written note from herself. This note was without date or address. It was
apparently written in kind consideration for me, but it contained no word
of affection. It was signed by her maiden name and post-marked Rome."

The abbess smiled as she remembered that letter which had been written by
Salome to put her husband out of suspense, and which had been sent by the
mother superior, through a confidential agent who happened to be going
there, to be mailed from Rome, to put the Duke of Hereward entirely off
the track of his lost wife.

"I have the note in my pocketbook. You may read it, madam, if you
please," continued the duke, as he opened his portmonnaie and handed her
a tiny, folded paper.

The abbess took it and read as follows:

"DUKE OF HEREWARD: I have just arisen from a bed of illness which
has lasted ever since my flight, and prevented me from writing to you up
to this time.

"I write now only to relieve any anxiety that you may feel on account of
one in whom you took too much interest; for I would not have you suffer
needless pain.

"You know the reason of my flight; or if you do not, my maiden name, at
the foot of this note, will tell you how surely I had learned that it was
my bounden duty to leave you instantly.

"I left you without malice, trying to put the best construction on your
motives and actions, if any such were possible; I left you with sorrow,
praying the Lord to forgive and save you.

"I dare not write to you as I feel toward you, for that would be a sin.

"I have entered a religious house, where, by prayer and labor, I may live
down all "inordinate and sinful affections," and where I shall henceforth
be dead to the world and to you.

"This, then, is the very last you will hear of her who was once known as
SALOME LEVISON."

"She says you knew the cause of her flight. _Did_ you know it,
monseigneur?" inquired the abbess, when she had finished reading the
note, and had returned it to the owner.

"I did not even suspect it, at first, madam. At the trial of John Scott,
on the charge of murder of Sir Lemuel Levison, to which I was summoned as
a witness for the crown, some facts were developed that first awoke my
suspicions as to the cause of my wife's flight. These suspicions were
further strengthened by the tone of her letter, received three weeks
afterwards, and they were absolutely confirmed