head grew dizzy and my eyes blind. I shared in the torments of
_Julia_--I was _Julia_ herself. I was on the brink of a precipice, with
hell beneath me and devils goading me on to the leap. I went home
stunned and half crazed. West spoke to me, but I believe that I never
answered him a word. If I could have killed him suddenly and without
reflection, I should have done it.

"The next day I implored my brother to assist me in breaking the hateful
engagement. He refused, insultingly, and threatened me with a ruined
reputation and the scorn of every one who knew me, if, after being so
notoriously engaged to West, and in his private society so much, the
marriage should now be broken off. I had no one else to whom to appeal,
and appeal to my _bridegroom_ would have been worse than useless. I
could not combat every thing and everybody. My God! my God!--that I
should have given up!--but I did. I went on finishing my
wedding-clothes, with only a week between me and their use. Oh how I
shuddered as my needle ran over the soft white laces and ruffles! They
were to deck my dainty limbs for _outrage_--such outrage as I did not
then know--and such as you can only dream. I only saw before me a vague
horror, but that horror was enough to set me on the dizzy verge of
madness, of suicide or of _murder_.

"A week went by, and in the presence of a minister of God I swore to a
lie. Richard West swore to another, for he was no more capable of love
than of honor. Then followed what, woman though you already are, I
cannot tell you of--prostitution, outrage, that left me a poor
dishonored _thing_--my womanhood a curse, and the creeping horror of
physical repugnance to a loathsome touch my bridal portion! God forgive
those who forced me to this! God forgive them!--I do not know that _I_
ever can! Ten years afterwards I saw one happy day--the first since my
engagement. It was when Richard West was shot down in a gambling-house
by one of his victims, and brought home dead!

"Now, Emily, you know, better than any other living, the heart of the
woman who is supposed to be so calm and placid! Now you can have some
idea what I have suffered to-night, when I saw the same pit opening for
_you_? Do you understand me? Have I said enough?"

"Enough, dear, dear Aunt, but not one word too much! I understand you, I
know you, now! Oh, save me, save me at any sacrifice from this
marriage!" And the young girl was sobbing in the arms of Aunt Martha,
who now t