MRS. S. No; simply the words "Post Office, to be left till called for." Of course, I took no notice of it whatever, and had forgotten the circumstance altogether, when a month afterwards to the very day--the very hour--I was then at Florence, I received a second communication, couched in precisely the same words, and again subsequently at Venice, Naples, and Milan. PEGGY. Dear, dear, it's as good as a play! Then you never took any notice of the fellow at all? MRS. S. Yes; a circumstance, the bare recollection of which makes me shudder even at this lapse of time, compelled me to break through the silence I had hitherto imposed upon myself: in travelling through Switzerland, on my return to England, the carriage which I occupied was one night placed in imminent peril by the restiveness of one of the horses; fortunately, I was asleep, and was not aware of my danger till I was assured of my safety--within a few feet of a fearful precipice, the traces had been cut, by a man who had evidently followed me, judge then of my astonishment when a voice uttered these words in my ear, "You see, madam, I have kept my promise, I am _still near you._" PEGGY. Well, he was a fine brave gentleman, whoever he was; and what was he like--eh? MRS. S. He had disappeared before I could even thank him for his timely and generous assistance. PEGGY. Well? MRS. S. Well? (_hesitatingly_) his next letter, which reached me shortly after my return to England, did _not_ remain unanswered. PEGGY. I should think not, indeed! and what did you say to Mr. C. R.? MRS. S. The truth! that my hand was promised to my cousin, Percy Postlethwaite; that his father had once saved _mine_ from ruin, who made me promise, as the only means of testifying _his_ gratitude to the father, to marry the son. PEGGY. Ah! and that, of course, was a settler for Mr. C. R. MRS. S. On the contrary, his answer to my letter ran thus:--"Love like mine never despairs. I will still be near you, for I still hope"--and yet for the last _two months_ he has ceased to write. PEGGY. Of course he has! and high time, too, considering you told him you were Mrs. Postlethwaite, as was to be. MRS. S. Very true; and yet (_after a slight hesitation_) no matter, go to bed, Peggy. Good night. PEGGY. Good night, ma'am. (_taking the lantern--aside_) Luckily when Master Percy arrives he'll put all this romantic lackadaisical nonsense out of missus's head. _Exit at door, L. C._ MRS. S. Yes, while the news of my recent accession to fortune has brought so many admirers to my feet, he, on the contrary, has ceased to think of me. (_MRS. S. seats herself in chair near the work table, L.; RATCLIFFE at the same moment enters and cautiously goes to door, L. C., which he closes. The stage is only dimly lighted_)