This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...go away to some place. I cannot trust myself under his influence. Like all cowards, I must fly from danger." During the walk home, she decided upon her course. That night Eleonora made some excuse to bid Mrs. Koehne and Frieda an especially affectionate good-night, talking long with Rudolf in front of the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...go away to some place. I cannot trust myself under his influence. Like all cowards, I must fly from danger." During the walk home, she decided upon her course. That night Eleonora made some excuse to bid Mrs. Koehne and Frieda an especially affectionate good-night, talking long with Rudolf in front of the dying fire before she tried to sleep. Once in her own room, she packed her belongings, and the next day, when Mrs. Koehne returned to lunch after a busy morning spent in presiding at a board meeting, she found this letter: --Meine Mutter Koehne, --Knowing your heart, I feel that you will forgive me for leaving you without a word of good-bye. I had to go. I love Berthold Ulrich, and he is a married man. My guilt is not in loving him, but in having encouraged his love for me after he told me of his ties. When the inevitable hour of temptation came yesterday, I succeeded in resisting, but I am not sufficiently sure of myself to remain within reach of its repetition. Oh, my second mother! what a weak woman I have been! As a girl, in reading or thinking about similar cases, I was bitterly lacking in charity for people so tempted; now I know what temptation means, and that I am no better than the majority. Do not blame him. He did not intentionally keep his marriage a secret from us; he thought we knew. I am going away--going to Europe, even if I must use the principal of my means to carry out my plans. The doctor says the sea voyage and a summer's rest would restore my voice--but I have little hope. Keep Margaret for me until I am ready to sail, and please send on to me here the trunk marked "to be sent." Rudolf, I know, will secure my passage from New York, and take Margaret there to meet me next week; or, if he cannot get away, let her come to me...
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