Madaline

On September 12, 1847, Madaline Edwards wrote in anger and despair to her married lover, a New Orleans businessman named Charles Bradbury: "I am nothing to you only an object of hate....I would if I dared ask to see you one time more no matter where or how, but I know you will hate me even for the desire. Oh! God can you ever know my feelings." A final bitter exchange of letters followed, and then their four-year affair was over. Cut off from Bradbury's support and under to pressure to vacate the house he had provided for her, Edwards was alone and on her own. Estranged from most of her…