Stronger men than
I ever was fell and died at my side. You are too polite, Richard, to
ask me where I have been; but if you wish to hear, I should like to
tell you.'
"I answered, 'You are my friend and my brother, Antony; and whatever
touches you for good or for evil touches me also. I should like to
hear all you wish to tell me.'
"'It is all evil, Richard. You would hear from Elizabeth that I was
obliged to leave England?'
"'Yes, she told me.'
"'How long have you been married?' he asked me, sharply; and when I
said, 'We are not married; Elizabeth wrote and said she had a duty
to perform which might bind her for many years to it, and it alone,'
your brother seemed to be greatly troubled; and asked, angrily, 'And
you took her at her word, and left her in her sorrow alone? Richard,
I did not think you would have been so cruel!' And, my darling, it
was the first time I had thought of our separation in that light. I
attempted no excuses to Antony, and, after a moment's reflection, he
went on:
"'I left Whitehaven in a ship bound for Havana, and I remained
in that city until the spring of 1841. But I never liked the place,
and I removed to New Orleans at that time. I had some idea of seeing
you, and opening my whole heart to you; but I lingered day after day
unable to make up my mind.
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