she had paper, white and soft, with her
crest at the head; every little detail belonging to her grandeur would
help to crush this girl for whom she had so much contempt and so little
pity. She thought over every word of her letter; it might at some future
day, perhaps, be brought against her, and she resolved that it should be
a model of moderation and fairness. She had learned Leone's name, and
she began:

"MY DEAR MISS NOEL,--My son has commissioned me to write to you,
thinking, as I think, that the business to be arranged will be
better settled between you and myself. I am glad to tell you that
at last, after many months of infatuation, my son has returned to
his senses, and has now but one idea, which is at once and forever
to put an end to all acquaintance between you and himself. My son
owns that it was a great mistake; he blames himself entirely, and
quite exculpates you; he holds you blameless. Permit me to say that
I do the same.

"My son, having recovered his senses, sees that a marriage between
you and himself would be quite impossible. He regrets having
promised it, and begs that you will forgive what seems to be a
breach of that promise; but it is really the best and wisest plan
of his life. Neither your birth, training, education, manners, nor
appearance fit you to hold the position that my son's wife must
hold. You must, therefore, consider the whole affair at an end; it
was, at its worst, a piece of boyish folly and indiscretion, while
you are blameless. It is my son's wish that ample compensation
should be made to you, and I have placed the matter in the hands of
Mr. Sewell, my lawyer, whom I have instructed to settle a thousand
per annum on you. Let me add, further, that if ever you are in any
pecuniary difficulty, I shall find a pleasure in helping you.

"One thing more: Lord Chandos is engaged to be married to one of
the wealthiest women in England--a marriage which makes his father
and myself extremely happy, which opens to him one of the finest
careers ever opened to any man, and will make him one of the
happiest of men. Let me add an earnest hope that your own good
sense will prevent any vulgar intrusion on your part, either on my
son or the lady to whom he is passionately attached. You will not
need to answer this letter. Lord Chandos does not wis