'Refuse, and I will write the whole shameful story, with my own comments; and you may judge for yourself of the effect it will produce.' "At that she smiled,--an indescribable sort of smile,--and shut her fingers on the letter she held,--I could not help thinking as though it were a human hand.

'Very well, madam, write it.

He has already told me'-- "'That he loves you,' I broke in.

'Do you think he would continue to do so if he knew what you are ?' "'He knows me as well now,' she answered, 'as he will after reading any letter of yours.' "'Incredible!' I exclaimed.

'When he wrote you that, he did not know, he could not have known, your birth, your race, the taint in your blood.