Read "Martin Faber-The Story of a Criminal" by William Gilmore Simms online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
A sense of caution--or it may be of shame--determined me to keep the marriage, as long as I well could, from the knowledge of the one being whom it most injured. A few days before that assigned for the event, I proceeded to the place of usual rendezvous. I had not seen her for several days before; and her looks indicated sickness and suspicion. The latter appearance, I did not seem to observe, but her indisposition called forth my enquiries and regrets. I still strove to wear the guise of affection, but my words were cold, and my manner, I feel assured, wore all the features of the most confirmed indifference. "You look unwell, Emily," I observed, putting my arms around her--"you have not been so, have you?"
"Can you ask," was her reply, as her eyes were mournfully riveted upon my own; "could I continue well, and not see you for three days? alas! Martin, you little know how long a period in time is three whole days to me in your absence. Where have you been--have you been sick--you look not as you are wont to look. You are troubled and something afflicts you."