Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 122: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PLEDGING HIS WORD. 113 thing of his mistress’ hand when he had finished with it. ‘‘T have had so much time to reflect, and I have come to the conclusion that it is due you to learn. One morning I was in my dressing-room, examining a gown which I was to wear at a ball that evening, where I knew you were to be, and suggesting a few alterations, when all at once there was a rap on the door, and a note was handed in to me. I ascertained, afterward, that it had been left by a woman who might have been a lady or a servant; it was impossi- ble to tell which, as she was so muffled up. I opened it carelessly, not dreaming of its nature, and read; but you shall see it for yourself.”’ And she handed it to him. It ws very short and written in an odd, choppy hand. ‘“Miss Clayton,’’ it ran, ‘‘pause before you consent to be- come Arthur Eldridge’s wife. He is bound to another. If you doubt this, ask him if he is acquainted with Florence Delmar. Pause before it is too late, for no happiness can follow his marriage with you. I warn you.”’ That was all; there was neither signature nor date. ‘Being an anonymous communication, my first impulse was to destroy it,’’ she continued, **but somehow I didn’t, and indeed it preyed upon my mind to such an extent that I determined to mention it to you in some way, if possible, without permitting you to suspect. Do not misconstrue my meaning—I never doubted your sincerity for an instant, for why should I? You had not spoken of love to me, then. So, that night at the ball, I casually asked you if you had ever knowna Miss Florence Delmar. Watching you closely, at the same time your whole face changed, the strangest expression passed over it. I was bewildered. You asked me where I had heard of her with a world of amazement CO RNIElOOOKS.EO)