This effort produced in my mind only mistrust
and disdain; but with others it was, unfortunately, more successful.
Soon after my arrival at Lesdernier, I found, in one of the papers that
I had ordered to be sent there from my native city to the address of
"Miss Harz," an atrocious advertisement, describing me personally as an
escaped lunatic, and offering a reward for my apprehension. Fortunately,
these papers were not objects of interest to the family in which I found
myself, where periodicals of all sorts were rife, as well as books,
ancient and modern, and newspapers were thick as leaves in Vallambrosa.
In the silence of my chamber I read and destroyed, or concealed this
evidence of enmity, malice, and all uncharitableness. I would trust no
one with my identity--none save God--until the hour should come of my
majority and emancipation; then, armed with Judaic vengeance, I would
return to claim my sister, my fortune, and my rights.
Soon afterward I read in the same sheet, sent weekly to Lesdernier, the
notice of the marriage of Claude Bainrothe and Evelyn Erle. This was the
test of truth! I bore it bravely. Not a heart-beat gave tribute to the
love of other days. The fire was dead, and ashes alone remained on the
deserted hearth-stone. Lower down in the columns of the same paper,
however, was something that smote my soul.
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