After a few minutes she took up his letter and read it over for the
fourth time. Its ruthless implacability seemed to give her the strength
necessary to obey its behests. As if fearing another failure of her
resolution, she wrote at once:

"Brudenell Hall, December 30, 18--

"Mr. Brudenell: Your letter has relieved me from an embarrassing
position. I beg your pardon for having been for so long a period an
unconscious usurper of your premises. I had mistaken this place for
my husband's house and my proper home. My mistake, however, has not
extended to the appropriation of the revenues of the estate. You
will find every dollar of those placed to your credit in the
Planters' Bank of Baymouth. My mistake has been limited to the
occupancy of the house. For that wrong I shall make what reparation
remains in my power. I shall leave this place this Friday evening;
see your solicitors on Monday; place in their hands a sum
equivalent to the full value of Brudenell Hall, as a compensation
to you for my long use of the house; and then sign whatever
documents may be necessary to renounce all claim upon yourself and
your estate, and to free you forever from

"Berenice, Countess of Hurstmonceux."


She finished the letter and threw down the pen. What it had cost her to
write thus, only her own loving and outraged woman's heart knew.

By the time she had sealed her letter Phoebe entered to say that the