unnatural wretch? As for my own fair fame, I am not
thinking of myself. With Death close at my side, I think of my poor
mother, and of all that she suffered and sacrificed to save me from the
disgrace that I had deserved. For her sake, not for mine, keep silence
to friends and enemies alike if they ask you who my girl is--with the
one exception of my lawyer. Years since, I left in his care the means of
making a small provision for my child, on the chance that she might live
to claim it. You can show him this letter as your authority, in case of
need.

"Try not to forget me, Amelius--but don't grieve about me. I go to
my death as you go to your sleep when you are tired. I leave you my
grateful love--you have always been good to me. There is no more to
write; I hear the servant returning from the chemist's, bringing with
her only release from the hard burden of life without hope. May you be
happier than I have been! Goodbye!"

So she parted from him for ever. But the fatal association of the
unhappy woman's sorrows with the life and fortune of Amelius was not at
an end yet.

He had neither hesitation nor misgiving in resolving to show a natural
respect to the wishes of the dead. Now that the miserable story of the
past had been unreservedly disclosed to him, he would have felt himself
bound in honour, even without instructions to guide him, to keep the
discovery of the daughter a secret, for the mother's sake. With that
conviction, he had read the distressing letter. With that conviction, he
now rose to provide for the safe keeping of it under lock and key.

Just as he had secured the letter in a private drawer of his desk, Toff
came in with a card, and announced that a gentleman wished to see him.
Amelius, looking at the card, was surprised to find on it the name of
"Mr. Melton." Some lines were written on it in pencil: "I have called
to speak with you on a matter of serious importance." Wondering what his
middle-aged rival could want with him, Amelius instructed Toff to admit
the visitor.

Sally started to her feet, with her customary distrust of strangers.
"May I run away before he comes in?" she asked. "If you like," Amelius
answered quietly. She ran to the door of her room, at the moment when
Toff appeared again, announcing the visitor. Mr. Melton entered just
before she disappeared: he saw the flutter of her dress as the door
closed behind her.

"I fear I am disturbing you?" he said, looking hard at the doo