shall be judged above by God, and if there need any witnesses there, I will bear witness against him. . . . There, my brother, it will be loudly acknowledged that I am free from the guilt of that atrocious murder. I did not follow the perpetrator, it is true; this my judges considered as an evidence of my guilt; but could I leave the dying girl? . . . . This paper is wet with my tears: I weep, brother, at the judgment of men.

At day-break some peasants found me near the corpse of Isabelle, with haggard look and the dagger in my hand. They dragged me to the mansion of the Count. It was supposed that I had taken her life out of jealousy, and that conscience had chained me to the body, as the vulture cannot quit the prey which he is consuming. In the madness of grief I felt alleviation in the confession that I had killed her, and certainly I was the cause of her death, for had not the dagger pierced her heart as she was extending her arms towards me? What happened afterwards is known to you, for you were present at my trial. You know that I was sentenced to die, and that in the face of death I protested my innocence.

I had but two days more to live. The world and every thing in it appeared like the quicksand which gives way in a dream beneath our feet, and eternity like a sea without shore, without bottom, rolling forward its waves to swallow me up. Heaven alone knows the tortures that agonized my heart: my senses were confused, till at length I asked myself whether I had not really murdered my beloved in a paroxysm of

mations of the multitude-to be consigned yet warm to the grave, and to cheat father and mother of the corpse of their son! . . . My brain, worked up to frenzy by the tortures of death, analyzed all human institutions. With what contemptuous pity I looked forth from my dungeon upon those men, who, in spite of the Christian precepts, think only of physical life, and after they have punished murder by murder, lay themselves quietly down to sleep, with the consciousness that they shall make compensation for the blood which has been spilt by that which they are about to spill.

All the faces that I beheld had a singular expression: I could discover in every one of them that they were fore-armed against any opinion favourable to the accused. Determined to regard me as a murderer, they found a proof of my guilt even in the energetic protestations of my innocence ; and the very priest, with his human passions-he, whose duty it was to inquire into the state of my mind-mistook the refusal to confess for the obduracy of the criminal. How much higher in the scale of created beings did the fly then appear to me, which flew buzzing along the dark wall of my prison, and freely enjoyed its portion of that air of which fellowmy though it were a boon for which I was men were solicitous to deprive me, as indebted to them! By degrees I sank into a stupor, from which rose, like a hideous monster, the thought of inevitable death. I believed then in a hell, for I felt, in all their keenness, the unutterable torments by which the human soul can be agonized; and my thoughts sometimes seemed like infernal demons to distract my head, and to be gnawing the brain which had begotten them.

The fearful moment arrived.

I was

and the curious who had assembled to see me delivered up to that intellectual machine of the law, the executioner, ejaculated their Ah! Perhaps the real murderer was there, trying to discover whether his victim suffered as much as himself. I recollect that I looked round me twice, but immediately cast down my eyes again, for they met none but countenances on which abhorrence was impressed, and a satanic smile played on every lip, as though each enjoyed my agony. The sun shone cheerily, and

the sky was blue and cloudless. I closed my eyes, and strove to fix my thoughts on the delicious moments which I had passed with Isabelle; for such had been the purity of our love, that I could not take with me any more soothing thought into the presence of God.

The car suddenly stopped; I looked up once more to bid a last adieu to that precious existence of which I was about to be forcibly deprived, and perceived the gallows, with the cord and the hangman, and a crowd covering the whole place around me. With bitter scorn I gazed about, and then turned to the priest, for I died as a Christian, and forgave all mankind. I then shut my eyes eyes for the last time, and leant upon the executioner as I ascended. He put the cord round my neck, and when the priest had concluded the prayer with the words: "My son, heaven openeth before thee!" I felt my footing sink from under me.

Death-I have a right to use this term― Death was scarcely anything: a few violent convulsions, a flash through the eyes, a throbbing in the brain-nothing more. At the moment when I lost the consciousness of my existence, it seemed as though I was lying in an immense sea, the waves of which broke with a singular noise over my head. It was as if the weight of the whole world lay upon my breast and my brow; before my closed eyes streams of brilliant light seemed to break forth on all sides, and to shew me the world, but much more beautiful than I had left it. I felt like an atom in that infinite space, like a grain of sand in that ocean, a worm beneath the blue heaven besprinkled with gold; and near me seemed to roll the thunder of everlasting waterfalls, which threw them selves impetuously from lofty rocks, and threatened to draw me into their foaming whirlpools. At length the light became paler, all the forms smaller, and again I began to feel pain. My soul was withdrawn from the magic circle of these visions; consciousness returned, and in extreme terror I half-opened my eyes; for I heard around me horrid oaths and blasphemies, and concluded that I had passed from the other life to hell, and had awoke among the damned. I opened my eyes completely, and found myself at one end of a long room, lighted only by the faint rays of a single lamp, which stood among glasses and pitchers upon a table at the other extremity of the apartment. Round the

table were seated men with coarse and vulgar features: they were soldiers, drinking and playing at dice. Two paces in the rear stood another soldier as sentinel, with his musket in his hand, and his head bending down over the table-he wavered between duty and inclination: at length he laid his piece upon the floor, and joined in the play of his comrades. The effort which I was forced to make to distinguish all this, awakened me completely; I found that I was once more living upon earth; and, in spite of all that I had suffered, existence was still so dear that I grasped at it afresh with eagerness. It was some time before I was capable of comprehending who these men were. At length, I concluded that they were guarding my body, and this conviction led me to abandon my first idea of throwing myself at their feet. For the moment, therefore, I contented myself with watching my brutal watchers, and waiting for a favourable opportunity to escape for I perceived, to my great joy, that their heads were becoming more heated, their imprecations more horrible, and their eyes more confused with every fresh jug of wine. The day had so far declined that it was nearly dark; the faint light of the lamp scarcely extended beyond the table and the gamesters, who only now and then cast a hasty glance at the large and nearly square bed on which I was laid. From its canopy hung ample woollen curtains, open only at the foot, and it was by this end that I hoped to escape. Slowly, and with the utmost caution, I slid down. I had already stretched one leg beyond the curtain, and was just setting my foot on the floor, when one of the soldiers, entering at the door opposite to the bed, with a pitcher in his hand, and seeing the leg of the corpse protruding, screamed, and dropped the jug in his fright. His comrades immediately rose, but their senses were so confused with wine and play, that they could make neither head nor tail of his story, and, having thrown the broken pieces of the jug at him, amidst coarse raillery, they desired him to fetch some more wine, and seated themselves again to play. As the man no longer saw the leg, for during their dispute I had quickly withdrawn it, he conceived himself that he must have been mistaken, and hastily went out, leaving the door open.

I had now not a moment to lose, for every second brought me nearer to the danger of discovery. Quickly forming my

resolution, I glided to the floor, and, thanks to the hangman, who had stripped me of my coat, shoes, and stockings, I slipped out at the door unperceived, without making the slightest noise. I then perceived from the sounds which proceeded from below that I was in a public-house. Following a dark passage, I reached a broad staircase, which I hastily descended, without meeting a creature. Here I looked for a door or a window by which I might gain the street, but to no purpose. Impelled by the fear of being retaken by the soldiers, I was driven to a desperate risk. I went to the lower room, where the noisy company were drinking loudly to the health of the murderer who had been hanged that day, softly opened the door, poked in my head, and looked stedfastly at the topers. Had I been aware of the mysterious power of that head, I should have gone forward without apprehension; for no sooner did the persons present recognize in my pale face and livid neck, the executed murderer, the corpse from above, than the very soldiers were paralyzed with horror, and shook in every limb. There they stood, glass in hand, and with distended eyes rivetted on my hideous figure, as if the Angel of Death had just touched them with his wings.

Encouraged by the sight I entered the room, glided like a ghost through the stupefied throng, and out of the house, and disappeared in the street, leaving behind me such horror and consternation as secured me, at least for the moment, from the pursuit of my guards. Shivering, I pursued my course till I came to a ruined house, in which

:

I determined to seek an asylum for the night. Quickly ascending the halfdecayed stairs, I cowered down among a heap of rubbish near a window but scarcely had I settled myself there when I heard in the street confused voices, and saw beneath my window policemen and soldiers, who were talking about my escape and the means of retaking me. From their conversation I learned that, after I had been cut down from the gallows, some doubts arose concerning my death, and I had been carried into the nearest publichouse to wait the return of a messenger, who had been dispatched to the governor in the country, and was to bring back his orders respecting the course to be pursued in case of my resuscitation. When all was again quiet, I once more ventured abroad, and stealing through the most retired streets, found myself in half an hour on the road to Bayeux. In a conflict between love and shame, I bethought me of my paternal home. I then ran for a long time, without stopping, through the fields, till I came to a crucifix, before which I prostrated myself in fervent prayer to the Almighty for counsel and succour and God raised me up, and led me by the hand.

You know, my brother, where I have since buried myself, and where I have found the peace and rest of the Lord, My days now flow smoothly on, and no fearful phantoms disturb my slumbers; for all human passions are extinguished in my bosom. The peace of the Lord be with you, my brother! JEAN GALLAND.

It was on the eve of Allhallows, in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-five, that a party of young people of both sexes had assembled round a bright and cheerful fire in the hospitable mansion of Mr. Dormer. Numerous were the charms and ceremonies that had been performed in the course of the evening: at length, wearied with trying the magic of the wedding-ring, the burning of nuts, and such like expedients, it was proposed by the youngest

daughter of Mr. Dormer that they should call upon a lady present to give them the history of a charm which she had tried in her youth. The lady smilingly drew her chair towards the fire, and instantly complied with their request.

"At the age of seventeen," she said, "you, my dear Mrs. Dormer, will recollect that I returned home from school to reign sole mistress of my father's mansion. He was a man of quiet and retired habits, and

little suited to become the only companion of so gay and volatile a girl as I then was. I had not been at home many months, before I began to be weary of the dull monotony in which our lives were passed. Sometimes whole days elapsed, and I beheld not one human being excepting the servants who composed our household. One afternoon, tired of watching my father, who had been sleeping for full two hours, I resolved to follow his example, and was composing myself upon a couch, when I was aroused by the entrance of a servant who had lived several years in the family. She softly approached me, and placed in my hands a slip of paper, on which were written the following words::

"The eve preceding Midsummer-day, precisely as the clock strikes ten, pluck a sprig of myrtle, and, in retiring to rest, place it where the rays of the morning sun will reach it. On rising the next day, put it in your bosom, and, before twelve hours have elapsed, you will behold your future husband.'

"No sooner had I read these words, than I instantly resolved to try the experiment; and impatiently counted the hours until the time arrived. At length it came: exactly as the clock struck the hour of ten, I plucked the myrtle, put it where the rays of the morning sun would reach it, and, on rising the next day, placed it in my bosom. On descending to the breakfast-room, I found that my father had been invited to spend the day with an old friend, whom he had not seen for many years. Immediately after breakfast he departed, and I was left alone.

"Dinner-time came, passed, and I beheld not any one who could possibly, as I conceived, become my future companion for life. Wearied, at length, with watch ing the gate that led to our dwelling, I threw myself upon a sofa, and fell fast asleep, for how long I know not; but, in a most delightful dream, I was suddenly awoke by a slight rustling in the room, and a pet spaniel that had been sleeping by my side barked aloud.

The

"I sprung upon my feet, and beheld, to my astonishment, a young and handsome man intently watching me. thought of the charm I had tried rushed across my mind, yet I involuntarily placed my hand upon the bell. As I did so, the visiter advanced I have to apologize,' he said, in a fine and manly voice, for an

intrusion, which I trust the goodness of Miss Willoughby will pardon, when I inform her that Arthur Lorimer stands before her.' Gracious Heaven!' I exclaimed; is it possible?—is it, indeed, Arthur whom I behold? is it indeed that gay and thoughtless boy?' and I threw myself into his arms, and wept long and bitterly; for the sight of him brought the remembrance of my fair and gentle mother to my mind. When I last beheld him, she was alive: he had come to bid us farewell before his departure for the Continent, leaving me a child ten years of age. Time had indeed not stood still; for it had changed the boy of fourteen into the gay and handsome man of twenty-one.

"You must not leave us, Arthur,' I said, when, after sitting with me for about two hours, he arose to go; you must stay till my father returns; for little do I know him if he allows the son of one of his oldest friends to sojourn anywhere but under his own roof.'

"At this instant my father entered, and added his entreaties to mine, and Arthur consented to stay one week with us. That week and many others flew away; and still Arthur lingered-still lingered to whisper vows of love and truth to me-1 -to me, who loved him with an affection so pure and ardent, that the bare thought of separation made me shrink with horror and dismay. At length the dreaded moment arrived; and Arthur was summoned from my side to attend the dying bed of his father.

"One week, one short week afterwards, I received a letter from him in which he bade me think no more of one who had deceived me; for that, kneeling before his father's dying bed, he had consented to wed another. Great God! the wild agony of that moment! In the bitterness of my heart, I crushed the letter beneath my feet: I almost prayed that he, too, might feel the agony of a seared and blighted heart.

"The anguish of that moment passed; but never was the remembrance of it effaced from my mind: it left me a faded and broken-hearted creature. I wandered about, a pale and drooping thing, without one being to whisper consolation in my ear. Months passed away, and my father, alarmed at my altered appearance, consigned me to the care of a distant relation of his, who resided in London.

"Thither I went, and arrived in Hanover-square two days preceding that of Mid

summer. Again I determined to try the myrtle-charm; but would it bring Lorimer to my side? No, no; I knew it would not: but still I tried it again. On Midsummer morning, I placed the myrtle in my bosom; but with what different feelings! When I tried it the preceding year, I was a gay, light-hearted girl; no cloud had then passed over me; my thoughts were all bright, gay, and joyous; care had never entered my mind; I dreamt not, thought not, of the morrow. Now, how different! the spectre of my former self! I sank into long and silent reveries, with hands clasped together; I heeded not, cared not, for anything.

"While these thoughts were flashing across my mind, I was summoned to breakfast. My dear Agnes,' said Mrs. Langton, the lady with whom I was staying, try to accompany me in a few visits I intend paying this morning. I really think it will do you good to visit about a little.' I consented, and shortly after breakfast we departed.

6

"We had just reached St. George'schurch, when we beheld a long string of carriages at the church-door. A wedding, I suspect,' said Mrs. Langton; Agnes, did you ever see one?' Never,' answered I; but I always had a great desire to witness one.' 'You shall be gratified,' said she; 'follow me.' I obeyed in silence. We entered the church, and reached a pew. 'Here we shall not be observed,' said my conductress; but look, Agnes, what a handsome bridegroom! At that moment my sprig of myrtle dropped from my bosom: I stooped to raise it from the ground. Look, Agnes!' again exclaimed Mrs. Langton. I looked: the next moment my wild shriek of agony echoed through the building; for, in the bridegroom I beheld Atthur Lorimer. This moment take me home!' I exclaimed, as I sunk senseless upon the bosom of my friend.

"I was conveyed home: for weeks my life was despaired of; but at length I recovered, to thank those who watched around my bed of sickness; and to none am I so much indebted as to you, my dear Mrs. Dormer. The moment my health was sufficiently restored to be able to

travel, my medical attendant ordered me to the south of France. Thither I went. Months passed away, and I recovered, in a trifling degree, my former health.

"The anniversary of that day, which had brought so much care and trouble to me, again arrived, and again I tried the myrtle. Here, here, at least, the charm will fail,' I said, as I placed it in my bosom; for Lorimer, with his bride, is far away. It is madness, utter madness in me to try it; but still I will try it, if it were only to prove how vain and foolish it is. Still it is strange that twice I should have tried that charm, and each time should have beheld Lorimer-beheld him plighting vows at the altar to another.' Covering my face with my hands, I wept

aloud.

"The day wore away; evening was fast approaching; I placed myself at an open window, and sat gazing at the surrounding country. The charm hath not wrought to-day! I exclaimed, as I looked at the myrtle in my bosom.

66 6

'Agnes, my adored Agnes!' murmured a soft voice at my side.

"I started from my seat, and the next moment sunk senseless in the arms of Lorimer. When consciousness returned, I found myself upon a sofa, with Arthur kneeling at my side.

"Gracious Heaven!' I exclaimed, 'is it, indeed, Arthur whom I behold? or is it but a dream?"

"It is no dream, Agnes,' he answered; "but thine own Arthur, come to claim thee for his bride.'

"In her grave,' he said; and in that grave let the remembrance of her faults and follies be buried with her! But, my dear Agnes, listen; for I have much to tell you.'

"I listened; all was explained: to save his father's name from disgrace, he had consented to wed Isabel de Vere. Death had claimed her for his own. Arthur and I became man and wife; and never have I regretted the day on which I accompanied him to the altar, and vowed to be come his and his alone."

VOL. I.

B