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314 justice, DO hearing, he tore her letter open, then flung it from him, with an oath, as he saw its heading, * No. — ^ Champs Elysees, Paris.' It was confirmation only too strong of Carlton's tale for him to doubt it. ^ He has deserted her, and she turns to me to be- fool me a second time ! ' was his madman's thought as he flung her letter from him ; then resealed with- out reading it, and directed it back to her before his purpose should fail him. So, in our madness, we fling our better fate, happiness away ! One letter still re- mained unread, indeed unnoticed, which De Vigne neyer saw until he took it up to light his pipe late that night; then he opened it mechanically, glanced to the last line, and found the signature was that of the valet whom he had dischiarged for reading Alma's note in Wilton Crescent: *A begging- letter, of course,' he thought, too heart-sick with his own thoughts to pay more heed to it, as he struck a match, held it in the flame, and lighted his meerchaum with it. So we throw aside, as valueless cards, the ho- nours life deals us in its uncertain whist !

END OF VOL. II. LONDON : PRINTED BT W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAH70&D STBEET, AND CHABING CS08S.