should afford you both, on condition of your departure from
America. But my whole patrimony would be but a mite added to your
treasures.

"You have country-seats in England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well
as a town house in London, a marine villa at Boulougne, and a Swiss
cottage on Lake Leman. All these are your own; and you shall never
be molested by me in your exclusive possession of them. Choose your
residence from among them, and leave me in peaceable possession of
the one modest countryhouse I have inherited in my native land. I
wish to sell it.

"But you doubtless have informed yourself before this time, that by
the laws of the State in which my property is situated, a man
cannot sell his homestead without the consent of his wife. Your
co-operation is therefore necessary in the sale of Brudenell Hall.
I wish you to put yourself in immediate communication with my
solicitors, Messrs. Kage & Kage, Monument Street, Baltimore, who
are in possession of my instructions. Do this promptly, and win
from me the only return you have left it in my power to make
you--oblivion of your crimes and of yourself.

"Herman Brudenell."

With the calmness of despair Berenice read this cruel letter through to
the end, and dropped it on her lap, and sat staring at it in silence.
Then, as if incredulous of its contents, or doubtful of its meaning, she
took it up and read it again, and again let it fall. And yet a third
time--after rapidly passing her hand to and fro across her forehead, as
if that action would clear her vision--she raised, re-perused, and laid