We girls were up in the sewing room putting the last touches to the wedding gown . Eliza tried it and her veil on and was standing so , in all her silken splendour , when a letter was brought in . I guessed by her blush who was the writer . I laughed and ran downstairs , leaving her to read it . `` When I returned she was still standing just where I had left her in the middle of the room , holding the letter in her hand . Her face was as white as her veil , and her wide-open eyes had a dazed , agonized look as of someone who had been stricken a mortal blow . All the soft happiness and sweetness had gone out of them . They were the eyes of an old woman , Amy . '' ` Eliza , what is the matter ? ' I said . ` Has anything happened to Willis ? ' `` She made no answer , but walked to the fireplace , dropped the letter in a bed of writhing blue flame and watched it burn to white ashes . Then she turned to me . '' ` Help me take off this gown , Winnie , ' she said dully . ' I shall never wear it again . There will be no wedding . Willis is gone . ' '' ` Gone ! ' I echoed stupidly . '' ` Yes .
I am not the heiress , XXXXX .
Amy Eliza Willis Winnie burn eyes left splendour sweetness woman