As he did so, his fingers instinctively went to the pocket of his waistcoat and sought the letter he carried there.
He took it out half mechanically and glanced at the familiar writing once more, when a sudden gust of wind snatched it out of his hand and blew it to the feet of Talbot.
"My letter!" cried Seymour, impulsively.
The soldier courteously stooped and picked it up and glanced down at the open scrap mechanically, as he extended his hand toward Seymour; then the next moment he cried,-- "Why, it's from Katharine!" One unconscious inspection sufficed to put him in possession of the contents.

"Where did you get this note, sir ?" he exclaimed, his face flushing with jealousy and sudden suspicion; "it is mine, I am the one she loves.

How came it in your possession ?" he continued, in rising heat.
Seymour, already unstrung by the fearful strain he had gone through and the frightful decision he would have to make later on, nay, had made after Bentley's words, was in no mood to be catechized.
"I am not in the habit of answering such personal questions, sir.

And I recognize no right in you to so question me." "Right, sir! I find a letter in your possession with words of love in it, from my betrothed, a note plainly meant for me, and which has been withheld.

How comes it so ?" "And I repeat, sir, I have nothing to say except to demand the return of my letter instantly; it is mine, and I will have it." "Do you not know, Mr.Seymour, that we have been pledged to each other since childhood, that we have been lovers, she is to be my wife?
I love her and she loves me; explain this letter then." "It is false, Mr.Talbot; she has pledged herself to me,--yes, sir, to me.