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Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

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DANGER IN THE DARK. 65<br />

uWell devised!" replied <strong>the</strong> Abbess, "<strong>the</strong> scheme<br />

will succeedI But <strong>in</strong> case it should fail, we can give<br />

her a quietus, you know."<br />

"No, that wont do <strong>in</strong> this case; I never can reach<br />

her estate unless she voluntarily makes it over to me.<br />

Beside, it wouldn't do for her to disappear under<br />

present circumstances; <strong>the</strong>re are jealous eyes turned<br />

Upon us - I know not what it may end <strong>in</strong>; but we<br />

waut no storm raised over our heads; <strong>the</strong> only safe<br />

way, is to work upon Maria's m<strong>in</strong>d-and goad her<br />

on to take <strong>the</strong> irrevocable vows."<br />

"Prepare <strong>the</strong> letter <strong>the</strong>n, and let me d liver it to<br />

her; I th<strong>in</strong>k I can do it <strong>in</strong> a manner that will leave<br />

no doubt upon her m<strong>in</strong>d, that it was written by<br />

Carleton himself."<br />

So he went to work, and on coarse paper, wrote<br />

most scurrilous th<strong>in</strong>gs, employ<strong>in</strong>g low, vulgar, and<br />

disgust<strong>in</strong>g epi<strong>the</strong>ts, and concluded by pronounc<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>the</strong> bitterest curses upon her soul, and <strong>the</strong> religion<br />

she professed! Then seal<strong>in</strong>g it, he <strong>in</strong>dorsed <strong>the</strong><br />

name-Anna Maria Gerard. The Abbess, tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

auWa' Droceededto Maria's lonely cell, situated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

nat obscure part of <strong>the</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g, aud approach<strong>in</strong>g<br />

her, blandly said: " Dear Anna, I've just received<br />

from <strong>the</strong> hand of Mr. Carleton, a letter-I suppose,<br />

of course, an affectionate letter, addressed to you. 1<br />

have thought proper to depart from.our usual custom<br />

<strong>in</strong> such cases, and present it to you with au unbroken<br />

seal, believ<strong>in</strong>g, as I have reason to, that it would be<br />

more agreeable to your feel<strong>in</strong>gs to receive it thus."<br />

5

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