until
I attained my majority and would liquidate all his present debts. To
your imagination, Dr. Grey, I leave the details of what ensued,--my
guardian's remorseful grief, my lawyer's wonder and expostulation, Mr.
Carlyle's confusion, chagrin, and rage. He pleaded, argued,
threatened; but he might as well have attempted to catch and restrain
in the hollow of his hand the steady sweep of Niagara, as hope to
change my purpose. My terms were fixed, and I gave him permission to
tell the world what he chose concerning this strange _denouement_ of
the wedding feast. If I could only go away at once, I cared not what
the public thought or said; and finally, finding me no longer a
yielding child, but a desperate, stern, relentless woman, my terms
were acceded to. Briefly we discussed the legal provisions, and I
signed some hastily prepared papers that settled a bountiful annuity
upon Mr. Carlyle. My trunks were sent to the steamer, the carriage was
brought to the door, and in the presence of my guardian and the
lawyer, I announced my desire never to look again upon the man who
had so completely blighted my life. In silence I laid upon the table
my betrothal and wedding rings, and the sparkling diamond cross that
had constituted my bridal present. No word of reproach passed my lips,
for women love when they upbraid, and only aching, fond hearts furnish
stinging rebukes; but I hated and scorned the author of my ruin too
utterly to indulge in crimination and reproach. So we two, who had
just been pronounced man and wife, who had clasped hands and linked
hearts and lives until we should stumble into the tomb,--we, Maurice
Carlyle and Evelyn, his bride, four hours married, stood up and looked
at each other for the last time. During the interview I had addressed
no remark to him, and the last words I ever uttered to him were
contained in that sentence fondly whispered when he bent over me at
the table, 'Maurice, my king.' As I bade adieu to my guardian, and
paused before the princely figure whom the world called my husband,
our eyes met, and he flushed, and muttered, 'You will rue your
rashness.' Silently I looked on the handsome features that had so
suddenly grown loathsome to me, and he snatched my wedding ring from
the table and held it appealingly towards me, saying remorsefully,
'Evelyn, my wife, forgive your wretched husband!' Without a word, or a
touch of his outstretched hands, I turned and went down to the
carriage, where my