"DEARLY BELOVED PARENTS--
"Forgive, forgive, I beseech you, your unhappy daughter, the distress
she is about to cause you. Alas! I have been very guilty, but the
punishment is terrible! In a day of wandering, I forgot all--the example
and advice of my dear, sainted mother, my most sacred duty, and your
tenderness. I could not, no, I could not resist him who wept before me
in swearing for me an eternal love--and who has abandoned me. Now, all
is over; I am lost, lost. I cannot long conceal my dreadful sin. Oh,
dear parents, do not curse me. I am your daughter--I cannot bear to face
contempt, I will not survive my dishonor.
"When this letter reaches you, I shall have ceased to live; I shall have
quitted my aunt's, and shall have gone far away, where no one will find
me. There I shall end my misery and despair. Adieu, then, oh, beloved
parents, adieu! I would that I could, for the last time, beg your
forgiveness on my knees. My dear mother, my good father, have pity on a
poor wanderer; pardon me, forgive me. Never let my sister Lucile know.
Once more, adieu--I have courage--honor commands! For you is the last
prayer and supreme thought of your poor LAURENCE."
Great tears rolled silently down the old man's cheeks as he deciphered
this sad letter. A cold, mute, terrible anger shrivelled the muscles of
his face. When he had finished, he said, in a hoarse voice:
"Wretch!"