have loved you from
your infancy--to you I looked as my greatest earthly
blessing--but it is all over--we never meet again! Yet,
cruel, ungrateful girl, I will not doom you to a life
of hardship and dependence. The fortune settled upon
you is still yours. Take it, Mildred, and enjoy it if
you can, knowing that you have broken the heart of your
old doting grandfather,

Archibald Dundass."

As Mrs. Donaldson concluded, Mildred sobbed aloud. These reproaches,
mingled with so much kindness, almost broke her heart.

"Give me the letter," said she, extending her trembling hand, and once
more she tearfully perused it, while a glance of triumph was exchanged
between husband and wife. The look of agony which Mildred cast upon
them as she finished reading would have melted a heart of stone. Mrs.
Donaldson burst into tears, and even the lip of her husband quivered
with agitation.

"My God, pity me!" cried Mildred, clasping her hands and raising her
eyes to heaven. Once more she turned them on her mother. "Mother, do
not weep--_I--O God--I--consent_!" And as if with those dreadful
words her pure spirit had fled, she fell back cold and rigid as marble
upon the pillow.

CHAPTER VII.

Let the silence of despair rest upon the sufferings of the unhappy
Mildred after those fatal words had passed her lips.

Among other artful devices agreed upon between Mr. Donaldson and
Perozzi, previous to Mildred's return, was that of keeping her
entirely secluded from society, lest some other suitor might wrest the
hand of the doomed girl from him. But now that a consent to their
infernal measures had been torn from her, it was resolved that a
magnificent _fete_ should mark the _debut_ of the affianced bride. The
evening previous to the wedding was the time fixed upon for this
important event, and accordingly invitations were immediately issued
for a grand _bal masque_, including the governor's family, together
with all the _elite_ of the island.

For weeks all was hurry and confusion at the Cascade--artisans of many
trades were busily engaged pulling down and putting up--the
drawing-rooms--the halls--verandas, all newly decorated--in fact, the
whole establishment, through the purse of Perozzi and the good taste
of Mrs. Donaldson, completely revolutionized. Mildred in the meanwhile
remained in strict seclusion in her apartment, unless dragged thence
by the impor