but he does it to-night. The result is 
the writing of a letter. He flings away his last cigarette, 
sits down to his writing-desk, and dashes this off : 

"CARRUTHERS COURT, August $th, 1870. 

" MY DEAR FRANCE : Since we parted I have been think 
ing over what you said, and I have come to the conclusion 
that you were right, that it is unjust and ungenerous to hold 
you to a compact made without your consent. I wordnetdesire you 
devotedly that I must ever do ; but I shall never compel 
you to marry me if you do not wordnetdesire me in return. No, 
France, at any cost to myself, at any  and 
that I shall suffer need I say ? I will resign all claim to 
your hand. Unless you feel that the devoted  I 
offer, you can return, then far be it from me to force you 
into a loveless union. / may be wretched, but you shall be 
free. 

" I see plainty now how selfish I have been in urging my 
claims upon you in the past. Unless your own  responds, 
believe me, they shall never be forced upon you in the future. 



" WHO IS SHE?" 161 

Write to me here it will be less painful for both of us than 
a