But my self-possession availed me nothing with Ada.

The day of our marriage was approaching." He stopped and shuddered.

I waited in silence till he had controlled himself.
"Think," he went on, "think of what I must have suffered at looking always on that hideous vision whenever I looked on my betrothed wife! Think of my taking her hand, and seeming to take it through the figure of the apparition! Think of the calm angel-face and the tortured specter-face being always together whenever my eyes met hers! Think of this, and you will not wonder that I betrayed my secret to her.

She eagerly entreated to know the worst--nay, more, she insisted on knowing it.

At her bidding I told all, and then left her free to break our engagement.