“The meaning of this, as I interpret it, is that my poor love is still pursued in secret by the dread that my marriage has injured me in the general estimation. She will suffer anything, risk anything, believe anything, to be freed from that one haunting doubt. Lady Janet predicts a social triumph; and my wife’s despair--not my wife’s conviction--accepts the prophecy. As for me, I am prepared for the result. It will end in our going to the New World, and trying Society in its infancy, among the forests and the plains. I shall quietly prepare for our departure, and own what I have done at the right time--that is to say, when the ball is over.” FOURTH EXTRACT. “I have met with the man for my purpose--an old college friend of mine, now partner in a firm of ship-owners, largely concerned in emigration. “One of their vessels sails for America, from the port of London, in a fortnight, touching at Plymouth. By a fortunate coincidence, Lady Janet’s ball takes place in a fortnight. I see my way. “Helped by the kindness of my friend, I have arranged to have a cabin kept in reserve, on payment of a small deposit. If the ball ends (as I believe it will) in new mortifications for Mercy--do what they may, I defy them to mortify _me_--I have only to say the word by telegraph, and we shall catch the ship at Plymouth. “I know the effect it will have when I break the news to her, but I am prepared with my remedy. The pages of my diary, written in past years, will show plainly enough that it is not _she_ who is driving me away from England. She will see the longing in me for other work and other scenes expressing itself over and over again long before the time when we first met.” FIFTH EXTRACT. “Mercy’s ball dress--a present from kind Lady Janet--is finished. I was allowed to see the first trial, or preliminary rehearsal, of this work of art. I don’t in the least understand the merits of silk and lace; but one thing I know--my wife will be the most beautiful woman at the ball. “The same day I called on Lady Janet to thank her, and encountered a new revelation of the wayward and original character of my dear old aunt.