nd but _infidelity_. But he did _not_ reform; he continued his
ruinous career; and my fortune melted away like snow beneath the rays of
the sun. The man possessed such an irresistible influence over me, that
I never could refuse an application on his part for money. I believed
that he sincerely loved me, and that was enough for me--I asked for no
more. I entertained romantic notions of 'love in a cottage.'

"At length my fortune was all gone--irrevocably gone. 'No matter,' I
thought--'I have still my dear husband left; nothing can ever take him
away from me. I will share poverty with him, and we shall be happy
together.' We gave up our splendid mansion, and sold our magnificent
furniture, and rented a small but respectable house. And now my blood
boils to relate how that villain Livingston served me--for he was a
villain, a cool, deliberate, black-hearted one. He deserted me, carrying
off with him what little money and the few jewels I still possessed,
thus leaving me entirely destitute. But what added to my
affliction,--nay, I should rather say my maddening rage, was a note
which the base scoundrel had written and left behind him, in which he
mockingly begged to be excused for his absence, and stated that he had
other wives to attend to in other cities. 'I never loved you,' he wrote
in that infamous letter, every word of which is branded upon my heart as
with a pen of fire--'I never loved you, and my only object in marrying
you was to enjoy your fortune; I have no further use for you. It may
console you to know that the principal portion of the large sums of
money which you gave me from time to time, was applied, not as you
imagined to the payment of gambling debts, but to the support of two
voluptuous mistresses of mine, whom I kept in separate establishments
that were furnished with almost regal splendor. Thus did you
unconsciously contribute to the existence of two rivals, who received a
greater share of my attentions than you did. In conclusion, as you are
now without resources, I would advise you to sell your charms to the
highest bidder. There are many wealthy and amorous gentlemen in New
York, who will pay you handsomely for your smiles and kisses. I shall
not be jealous of their attentions to my _sixth wife_! I intend to marry
six more within the next six months. Yours truly, LIVINGSTON.' Thus wrote
the accursed wretch, for whom I had sacrificed everything--fortune,
position in society, and friends; for who amon