University of Virginia Library

[A letter from Miss Lintot, to her friend Florence Weldon.]

`I am to-day more tranquil, my dear Florence, and I now feel that
if the conduct of Mr. Howard towards me has been most odious, his
heart is less culpable! His head has been elevated in one of those
crimes of rebellion which I have indicated to you. If, in the moment
of the fatal question, his hand had been in mine, only a `yes' would
have gone from his lips. But his disordered imagination had carried
him a hundred miles off from me at the moment: materially he was
but a step from me; morally but half a second from matrimony! The
terror of matrimony was, at the instant, more powerful than his love for
me, and he said `NO.'

But well am I avenged! Never has he given such proofs of his tenderness
as now! He looks pale and wan as if just convalescing from

a long sickness. Twice a day he has written me excuses the most
humble, mingled with protestations the most ardent. Not daring to
present himself at the house, well knowing he would not be received,
he has taken rooms directly opposite the way, where I see him seated
all day, myself invisible, with his eyes constantly fixed upon my closed
windows. I have learned that three times he has taken tickets in the
cars for Boston, and three times his resolution has failed him and he
has remained. How he loves me! How happy we should have been!

His father is in despair; and writes me letters that make my heart
bleed. Oh, my friend, what a chance has he thrown away!