day of M. Peutern's departure-and whether he | if it remained untouched, had not been opened by had been in his study. She said that having Vairenn; I approached it-touched the spring been absent so long he had remained with her in of the drawer.--and found it empty! I was now the parlor until dinner-time, that in the afternoon convinced of my suspicion. My thoughts now he had gone with a fishing party on the Lake, and had not returued till bed-time-he had only gone in his study a moment for his tackle before the next fatal day.

ranged about the room to discover the medium of death; I racked my brain vainly, and as twilight was casting a thick shadow on the Dial at the Western window I was almost in despair. To collect my thoughts for a final effort I threw myself in M. Vairenn's chair.

The body of M. Vairenn bore no marks of violence; if M. Pentern had been instrumental in his death it must have been by means of Poison. But he must either have administered "O God!” cried Eleann, at that moment enthis by bribing a servant, or by some indirect tering the door and supporting herself by it, method have given it himself—this part of the "what ails you ?—how like him you look!” 'train of conclusions was very barren. I asked I had thrown myself in M. Vairenn's chair; Eleann if they had taken a glass of wine together but no sooner had done so than I felt a keen pang on the day of Pentern's leaving. No. If M. between my shoulders;-I sprang forward in Vairenu had eaten anything, during the day-pain, and Eleann entering at the time was and what. On reflection she said she really be- shocked at the resemblance between myself, at lieved he had not tasted a mouthful in the house that time, and her brother, when she found him for five days before his death! He had eaten no dead. The remark struck me: I kept my posidinner on the day his uncle left, excusing himself tion and observed it; in one instant the entire by saying he had taken lunch at the Hotel des secret was revealed! I arose up, although in Voyagers, 3 miles above; he had come from the pain. The chair in which I sat down was one Lake at bed-time and had gone to bed; on the of velvet cushioning of curious oaken carving on next morning he had gone into his study before the legs, arms, and back; it is well represented taking coffee and had not come out again! in the painting of Richelieu, now in the Metropolitan Art-Union (the original of which I saw in the Royal Institute) by the Gothic Chair in which the statesman is sitting. The velvet is thickly wadded up as far as the back of the head.

To support my theory then it must be found that M. Peutern had arranged poison of some description in the study, where he knew it would have effect in the regular course of Vairenn's customs. The scroll on which the Treatise on Electricity was written was in a secret drawer; in all probability he had arranged it in connection with the escritoire containing this drawer, so that it should have effect only when the paper was sought.

66

I have said that the secret was revealed to my senses, which my intellect was at fault in inventing. I called Eleanu, who was still standing pale at the door. • See!" said I, this was the villain's work!" I pressed my hands on either side of the velvet back as high up as I had experienced I asked now to be shown into the study which the pain; there started forth one of those small they told me was precisely as it was the morning weapons, which were invented by a celebrated of Vairenu's burial; and so I found it. The gang of assassins in Lyons, and used by them for mid-day suu, streamed partially through the their designs before their suppression, twenty stained eastern lattice, and was reflected from years ago. It was best known by the title of the the placid lake to the south, on the sky-coloured" Steel-sting," it is made to perforate the flesh, ceiling. The light Brussels carpet sank under and being charged with a subtle poison forces it my foot, and the rich satin curtains folded and flitted in the draught my uulocking of the door excited. The sweet cleanliness of my departed friend's thoughts and character was displayed in the perfect system and selection of his recherchè This then was undoubtedly the way in which Library; and his taste in the artistic master- my lamented friend had been murdered. The pieces of painting with which the wall was every appearance of the body; the circumstances of where adorned. Over the Library was a piece his and Pentern's movements, joined with the of splendid mantel-work wrought by some skil- Physician's opinion of the body in confirming my ful Veloutier, wherein was woven with golden hypothesis. My course was instantly determined and purple thread the mystic sign of his Reli-on; of it and its results, you can probably best gion T2. MONO. OEQ. The memories that all judge from the subjoined letter. I received it these things roused of the uoble spirit that had just as I was giving the final touch to my "Death left that Home of Thought overpowered me. of Judas," which I consider quite a noteworthy I commenced looking about. The escritoire, coincidence!

through a perforated tissue of thin metal in many different directions in the body; it was good for me that the entire charge was expelled at one entrance.

It seemed to Edith as if she had passed at return to America, but that he could not bear to once into another state of existence, her purposes, give Edith unnecessary pain by suggesting such her plans, her aims in life were overthrown, for a thought to her, nor did he usually attach much her thoughts, her hopes, had been so closely con- importance to such presentiments himself, but in nected with her father, that she could not realise case they should be verified, he commended Edith how she should live without him. She was alone, to his care, and wished her to reside under his aloue indeed; hers was not the loss of a father roof, confiding in the assurances that Mrs. Travers only, but of a friend, with whom she had lived on and himself had made before his departure from those terms of perfect confidence, which rarely Virginia, that such an arrangement would be most exist between any two human beings. She had agreeable to them. never known a feeling of fear towards him, and far back as the earliest dawn of reason, their lives had been mingled together in an unbroken chain of love, and now, could it be indeed true, these links were snapped?

It is a blessed privilege to receive the last looks and words of those we love, for when our friends die in a strange land, and far from us, the imagination constantly tortures itself to depict their last hours, and the vain and passionate wish that we could have been with them, is continually wringing our hearts.

This proof of her father's provident care, extending its protecting influence over her, even after his death, affected Edith deeply. She. would not have objected to any arrangement made by him, even had it been most adverse to her own wishes, but it really accorded with them, so far as she felt capable of forming a wish, for she thought she should feel less desolate at Travers Lodge than anywhere else. Though she was not bound by the ties of congeniality, or strong affection to any of the family, yet she was attached both to her uncle and aunt, and felt But even in this dark hour, when all the ener- much kindness and good will towards her cousins, gies of Edith's soul and body were exerted to and the cordial and affectionate manner in which sustain her beneath this overwhelming stroke, she Mr. Travers urged her acceptance of his propofound inexpressible consolation in the idea, that sal, awakened her gratitude, and strengthened her father was supported and cheered in his last her attachment for him. Then it would be a moments, by a strong faith in the most important great consolation to be near Mrs. Mason, one of and sustaining doctrine of Christianity-the great the very few friends she had ever had who undoctrine of a mediator. Her own mind had, for derstood her, and could sympathise with her. some months past, been closely, and frequently As to Charles, she would not acknowledge to engaged in earnest inquiry and thought upon herself that his society could afford her happithis subject, but how differently then and now. ness. In few, but heartfelt words, Edith expressSo many thoughts, plans, hopes, fears, desires of ed to Mr. Travers her thankful acquiescence in an earthly nature filled her heart then, but now the arrangement he proposed. Edith was now she seemed almost transported to that invisible in a state of absolute, uncontrolled independence: world, where the spirit of her father awaited her. she had attained her majority, she was mistress The Grattans had sailed for England but a of a large fortune, which would probably be much few days previous to Edith's receiving the intel- increased by the settlement of Mr. Fitzgerald's ligence of her father's death, and she had felt affairs in Ireland, but these circumstances so far very sad, very desolate at parting with them, and from occasioning any feeling of exultation or nourished many fears and anxieties for their pleasure, increased her sense of dreariness and future welfare, but now the recollection of them loneliness. The means of enjoyment were hers, seemed like a dream melting away, dim, and distant.

but the desire to use them was gone; she viewed them now as means of usefulness, and felt the But the human mind and frame cannot long weight of an undivided responsibility. She did support the high wrought state of thought and not feel a strong claim upon any human being feeling, although the salutary effects of this full but Gerald Devereux, and almost her only wish realization of eternal things, often work a perma- at present was to see him again. He had never nent change in the nature, and such a transfor-known any father but hers, and had loved him as mation it gradually wrought in Edith.

a son-how many tender associations, how many words and acts of love had bound their hearts in the days of their infancy to him, and to each other.

She had not yet bestowed a thought upon her own destiny, her plans and purposes had been so broken off at the death of her father, but after a few days had elapsed, her attention was turned Gerald came, and Edith met him with a comto the subject by Mr. Travers. He showed her posure which appeared wonderful to the spectaa letter written to him by Mr. Fitzgerald some-tors, but he knew by the marble paleness that time previous to his sickness, saying that he had overspread her face, the quivering of her lip, and frequently had forebodings that he should never the slight shiverings that agitated her frame, how

deep was the emotion, of which she sought to to Davenport Lodge, as he wished to make suppress every outward sign. They poured out some inquiries of Louis respecting the family their hearts to each other, when they were alone at Sherwood, thinking he could perhaps elicit together, and Edith found great relief and con- some information from his answers, on the subsolation in speaking of her father, to oue who ject in which his heart was most deeply iutehad known and loved him somewhat as she had rested. Yet he reproached himself for his own done. But these communings could only be of weakness, in entertaining any doubt as to the short duration, for after the last rites were paid state of Margaret's feelings towards himself, to the remains of Mr. Fitzgerald, and a few ar- when he recalled the circumstances of their last rangements made, it would be imperatively ne- interview. cessary for Gerald Devereux to set out for Ireland, to attend to the business which Mr. Fitzgerald had left unfinished, and which intimately concerned his own interests as well as those of Edith.

Edith, as we have before observed, had never been apprehensive in her nature, and if passing fears of evil crossed her mind upon any occasion, she did not harbor them long enough for them to become what is called-presentiments. But since the overwhelming stroke which had fallen upon her, her fearlessness had forsaken her, she shuddered to think that an ocean would soou separate Gerald and herself, and the possibility that always exists at every parting from our friends that we may meet no more, seemed converted in her mind to a strong probability. Yet she had sufficient resolution and strength of mind to refrain from expressing her feelings to Gerald, she knew with what reluctance he left her in her present state of feeling, and he had also communicated to her his love for Margaret Selden, which would naturally so much increase his regret in leaving the country for so long a time as he might be detained in Ireland.

Gerald felt that he could not possibly leave the country, without once more seeing Margaret; if she did not return his attachment, would it not be ungrateful in the extreme to show no sense of the kindness which he had received from every member of the family at Sherwood. Perhaps, too, Margaret might not be so entirely indifferent towards him, as he had somewhat hastily conIcluded at their last interview.

CHAPTER XLIV.

There are moments in life that are never forgot,
Which brighten, and brighten, as time steals away;
They give a new charm to the happiest lot,
And they shine on the gloom of the loneliest day:
These moments are hallowed by smiles and by tears,
The first look of love, and the last parting given.
Percival.

Gerald spoke to Louis with the most unreserved confidence of his love to Margaret, and related all that passed between them, and saw, with quite as much indignation as surprise, that Louis was smiling; yes, there could be no mistake, Louis was actually smiling.

The sudden change in Gerald's countenance changed the smile into a laugh, but before his anger could find vent in words, Louis laid his hand upon his arm, and said—

"Come Devereux, you must curb this hastiness of temper, it has, no doubt, already led to the mistake, which has caused you so much unhappiness."

You speak in enigmas, Louis, and I am in no mood to sympathise with your mirth; pray explain yourself!"

"Then to come to the point at once, I know that at your last interview with Margaret, so far from entertaining any suspicion of your real feelings towards her, she was under the impression that you loved Virginia."

A new light broke upon Gerald at these words, a bright gleam of joy lit up his face, and he seized Louis's hand, saying-"How do you know this, tell me all about it. I cannot imagine how such a mistake could have arisen, my preference for Margaret was so decided as soon as we became acquainted."

"Yet to Margaret, and to most people, it could not seem improbable that any one who had seen Virginia should love her. But let that pass; my sister accidentally overheard a part of a conversation between Augustus Vernon and yourself, with regard to Clara Kaufmann and Virginia, she misconstrued what she heard, and supposed that your avowal of a personal interest in the matter had reference to your own love for Virginia, and iminediately, as most ready-witted women would do, in a similar case, put together a variety of trifling circumstances, and arrived at a fixed conclusion as to the nature of your sentiments. This opinion, and the grounds of it, she communicated to Margaret, to whom you are aware from her character, and her devotion to her sister, it would naturally appear founded in

But a few precious days were now left, and Gerald's desire to see Margaret once more increased. | truth."

as the time diminished for his remaining in the Then," said Gerald, "I will go immediately country. He determined, however, to go first to Sherwood, and learn my fate from Margaret's

own lips. I could not bear to leave the country length of time, without exchanging with him one in my present state of suspense."

"My best wishes attend you, my hopes also, for I have a strong impression that you will be successful. I shall be very anxious to hear the result."

word, or look of kindness, was in itself very painful, but what rendered it doubly so, was the irresistible conclusion, not only that he had never loved her, but that he did not possess that warmth of heart and grateful feeling, which she had once “Thank you, thank you, my dear fellow, my imputed to him. Nothing could exceed the kindown hopes and fears are both so strong, I scarcely ness, with which Gerald had been treated at know which predominate, but whatever the result Sherwood, he had been there on a footing of inmay be, I shall never forget your kind sympathy." timacy, like a member of their own family, and Gerald hastily left the room, as he said these to leave the country without saying farewell words, and taking a path which led directly seemed very heartless. through the woods that separated Davenport Lodge from Sherwood, was soon lost to the eye of Louis, who stood at the window watching

him.

He loves Margaret truly, warmly, with all the generous devotion of his nature, thought Louis, yet how different is his love from that which I bear to Virginia, a feeling which has made a part of my existence as far back as memory can reach, which can only be eradicated with life itself; can such love as this, remain always unreturned?

Hope had sprung up within his heart, though he feared to indulge it, since he became acquainted with the change in Virginia's sentiments for Augustus.

On this day, all the family were dining out, except Margaret, who had excused herself from joining the party, on the plea of writing letters, and attending to some household matters, which required the superintendence either of Mrs. Selden or herself. Mrs. Selden perceived that Margaret wished very much to remain at home, and did not urge her to accompany them; she partially divined, though she did not entirely understand her state of feeling, for she had observed her abstraction and silence for some time after reading Charles' letter.

As the last sound of the carriage wheels died upon her ear, Margaret felt the relief of being left alone; not, however, for the purpose of indulging her feelings, but that she might regulate and subdue them. She was so deeply engaged in thought, that she did not hear the door open when Gerald entered the room, nor was she aware of his presence until he approached within a few steps of her.

Meantime Gerald pursued his way so rapidly, and in so engrossed a state of mind, that he found himself in the yard at Sherwood, in scarcely half the time that he had supposed necessary for performing the walk. His heart beat thick and fast, and he paused for a moment before he crossed the threshold, to summon sufficient com- The peculiar sound of his footstep first arsure to enter the parlor. Chance appeared on rested Margaret's attention, and turning suddenly It would have been imthis occasion, to have favored him, for upon she beheld Gerald. opening the door, he found no one but Margaret possible for a person of Margaret's candid and who was standing in the recess at the farthest unsuspicious character to meet the glance of end of the room, looking out from the window Gerald's eye, to hear the tone of his voice, and on the wintry landscape. Could he have known to doubt his affection. She had scarcely taken the nature of her thoughts, his doubts and anxi- his offered hand, before every doubt vanished; eties would have been at once removed. nor were his hopes at all diminished by the bright gleam of joy which glanced on Margaret's cheek and lit up her expressive eye.

When a strong and sincere affection exists between any two persons, with a real desire to understand each other, but few explanations are necessary to remove any doubts that may have

Margaret had received a letter two days before from Charles Selden, in which he mentioned, that Gerald Devereux was then at Travers Lodge, but that his visit would necessarily be short, as he would be compelled in a few days to leave the country, in order to settle urgent business, which the death of Mr. Fitzgerald, had arisen in their minds, and but a short time had left in an unfinished state. Charles said too, that he had made some general and kind inquiries respecting the families at Sherwood and Davenport Lodge, but there was not an intimation in the letter that Gerald entertained the least design of coming to Sherwood to say farewell.

elapsed ere Gerald had told the whole story of his love to Margaret, from its very commencement until the present moment, and the reasons which had so long delayed the avowal of his feelings. He prevailed on Margaret to confess that she was not much happier than himself during How many feelings which Margaret had their last interview, and won from her an acthought subdued, arose with new strength in her knowledgment that his affection was not uureheart, as she read this letter! The idea of quited.

Gerald's leaving the country, for an indefinite It is true, this acknowledgment would not have

VOL. XVII-8