Victor saw that he was not looking at the letter, but through it and beyond.

Some time passed.
"And, Victor, I was going back to Paris to-morrow, to life and to love.
Within this scented envelope a woman has written the equivalent of 'I love you!' as only a loving woman can write it.

How quickly the candle would eat it! But shall I destroy it?
No.

Rather let me keep it to remind myself what was and what might have been.

Far away from here I shall read it again and again, till it crumbles in my hand and scatters into dust." He hid the letter in his doublet and drew forth a miniature.