"She is greatly changed since Nina's death. She mourns much for
her sister."
"Yes," returned Victor, "she loved Nina dearly, but it is more
than this which ails her. God forbid that I should unnecessarily
wound you, Mr. Harrington, but I think it right for you to know."
The dark face, shaded with the long beard, was very white now, and
the sightless eyes had in them a look of terror as Richard asked,
"What is it, Victor? Tell me."
"Come to the sofa first," Victor rejoined, feeling intuitively
that he was safer there than in that high arm-chair, and with
unusual tenderness he led his master to the spot, then sitting
down beside him, he continued, "Do you remember Nina once made you
write something upon a sheet of paper, and that you bade me
ascertain what it was?"
"Yes, I remember," answered Richard, "you told me you had not read
it, and imputing it to some crazy fancy of no importance, I gave
it no more thought. What of it, Victor?"
"I had not read it then," answered Victor, "but I have done so
since, I have it in my possession--here in my hand.
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