so unexpected, and with so much seeming truth, that she was left no
alternative but to believe.

Fisher called a third time; but still Clara declined seeing him. On
the day after this last attempt, he received a note from her in
these, to him, strange words:--

"DEAR SIR:--Since I last met you, I have become satisfied that a
marriage between us cannot prove a happy one. This conclusion is far
more painful to me than it can possibly be to you. You, I trust,
will soon be able to feel coldly towards her whose fickleness, as
you will call it, so soon led her to change her mind; but a
life-shadow is upon my heart. If you can forget me, do so, in
justice to yourself. As for me, I feel that--but why should say
this? Charles, do not seek to change the resolution I have taken,
for you cannot; do not ask for explanations, for I can give none.
May you be happier than I can ever be! Farewell.

"CLARA."

"Madness!" exclaimed Charles Fisher, as he crumpled this letter in
his hand. "Is there no faith in woman?"

He sought no explanation; he made no effort to change her
resolution; he merely returned this brief answer--

"Clara, you are free."

It was quickly known among the circle of their friends that the
engagement between Fisher and Clara had been broken off. Mears and