The old man spoke with great excitement. Flora, half-frightened at his manner, said, hurriedly—
“Here is a letter, father which she has left upon her toilet-table, addressed to me.”
“Read it,” cried Wilton, imperatively.
Flora opened the note, and, with genuine emotion, read the contents. They ran thus—
“My dear Miss Wilton,—-Do not think harshly of me for quitting you and your beautiful home thus abruptly, but, indeed, I could not summon fortitude enough to part with you for ever.”
[“For ever,” ejaculated Mark and his father in a breath. “With quivering lip. Flora repeated the word, and went on reading.]
“My mission is fulfilled. I was placed by your father’s bedside in the darkest hour of his danger, with no skill, but only a hopeful heart and willing spirit to help and guide me. It has pleased Heaven to place him on the threshold of health, and my services, with you by his side, are no longer needed, so I retire again into my own humble privacy——”
“But I won’t allow her to do anything of the kind,” roared old Wilton, excitedly.
“Hush, sir, for mercy sake, hush!” cried Mark; and, in an agitated manner, said to Flora, “Pray, go on.”
Flora brushed her tears away, and proceeded reading—