CHAPTER VII.
With a beating heart and fearful, I knew not why, I dismissed the servant and locking my door, sat down to read my father's letter.
These are the words that it contained.
"My dear Child "I have betrayed your confidence; I have endeavoured to pollute your mind, and have made your innocent heart acquainted with the looks and language of unlawful and monstrous passion.

I must expiate these crimes, and must endeavour in some degree to proportionate my punishment to my guilt.

You are I doubt not prepared for what I am about to announce; we must seperate and be divided for ever.
"I deprive you of your parent and only friend.

You are cast out shelterless on the world: your hopes are blasted; the peace and security of your pure mind destroyed; memory will bring to you frightful images of guilt, and the anguish of innocent love betrayed.
Yet I who draw down all this misery upon you; I who cast you forth and remorselessly have set the seal of distrust and agony on the heart and brow of my own child, who with devilish levity have endeavoured to steal away her loveliness to place in its stead the foul deformity of sin; I, in the overflowing anguish of my heart, supplicate you to forgive me.
"I do not ask your pity; you must and do abhor me: but pardon me, Mathilda, and let not your thoughts follow me in my banishment with unrelenting anger.

I must never more behold you; never more hear your voice; but the soft whisperings of your forgiveness will reach me and cool the burning of my disordered brain and heart; I am sure I should feel it even in my grave.