Precious, voluminous postscript! Considerate mother! "Be on
your guard, Julia. Don't let him get too free!" Prudent, motherly
counsel! "You've played your cards nicely." Nice lady! "I feel
quite ticklish!" Elegant sensibilities!
Enough! The evil was done. Here was another piece of damning
testimony, indirect but conclusive, to show that I was bedevilled.
I refolded the letter, but I could not place my lips to the wafer.
The very letter seemed to breathe of poison. Faugh! I put it from
me, went to the basin, and wetting the end of my finger, sufficiently
softened the gum to make it more effectually fasten the letter than
when I had received it. This done, I proceeded to the business of
the day with what appetite was left me.