died. But in that case you would have had to take the plunge into
eternity, for I am looking forward with joy to life on my island.

For twenty years I have lived under the shadow of your wing in the Old
Market Place. May I live another twenty under the great forest trees,
wedded to solitude.

How the gossips will gossip! But we two, clever people, will laugh at
their gossip.

Forgive me, Richard, to-day and always, the trouble I have brought upon
you. I would have stayed with you if I could. Thank you for all....

ELSIE.

That my feeling for you should have died, is quite as incomprehensible
to me as to you. No other man has ever claimed a corner of my heart. In
a word, having considered the question all round, I am suffering simply
from a nervous malady--alas! it is incurable!




MY DEAR MALTHE,

We two are friends, are we not, and I think we shall always remain so,
even now that fate has severed our ways? If you feel that you have any
good reason for being angry with me now, then, indeed, our friendship
will be broken; for we shall have no further opportunity of becoming
reconciled.