“As for Hagar’s anguish, it is as inexplicable as your past fury was. I can well imagine her regret at parting with her husband, but as for the rest, it is all mystery, and you know it has been said by them of old time, that where there is mystery it is fair to presume guilt, or at least some grave error. This unhappy Hagar had ever possessed the unenviable gift of drawing down upon her head the ban of society—but she must not pull others down with her. It is all inexplicable to me—I do not understand it in the least; but I fear all is not right. Write to me immediately, Gusty, and tell me that you are off. I am so uneasy that I have no appetite for my dinner. “Your anxious and affectionate mother, “EMILY BUNCOMBE.” * * * * * Mr. May to Mrs. Buncombe. “THE RIALTO, March 7th, 182-. “DEAR MOTHER:—I received your letter to-day. I am here yet, you see. In all things that are right I will obey you always, if I get as big as Goliath and old as Methuselah. But! when I forsake Hagar in her utmost need, may God forsake me then and for ever Amen—so be it. Selah. Hagar is still too ill to leave her room; still ignorant of the execution. Collins, Barnes, and the rest have left the house—_all_ have left except a maid-of-all-work, whose wages _I_ have engaged to pay. A second execution at the suit of another creditor has been levied, and a second time I have had to redeem from confiscation, the furniture of her rooms. As soon as Hagar is able to travel, I must get her away from this; I cannot stay here for ever, paying that infernal fellow’s debts, as I am now obliged to do, to keep poor Hagar from being shocked to death. “Well, mother! it is as you feared—I am cashiered! dismissed the service! Well, what of it? The service has lost more than I have, by the arrangement! The service has lost a gallant officer! a noble fellow! a whole hearted man! _I_ say it! Moreover, they cannot cashier my bones and muscles, my heart and brain, my faith, hope, and energy! Besides, the blow Rosalia dealt me, has stunned, numbed me into a sort of insensibility to all wounds inflicted upon myself. I am vulnerable now only through Hagar. “Well, I am cashiered! Grieve for the service, mother! not for me. Your affectionate son, “AUGUSTUS W. MAY.” * * * * * Mr. May to Mrs. Buncombe. “THE RIALTO, March 14th.