stung by the goading spur of conscience, through the chance or accidental detention of a passenger, fled from imagined pursuit, and to escape the ignominy of a scaffold, became at once the instrument of his own destruction. But no more-Heaven rest the guilty! a gayer scene awaits our efforts, and to other characters be our obeisance paid. We will not attend the steps of the aged father Betsolin to the virtuous retirement of his cloister, neither will we linger o'er the death and struggles of the penitent Lamballe; but simply stating that the guilt-stained soul, in the convulsive throes of dissolution, received from the hands of true piety the balm of extreme unction, and fled in the assurance and firm hope of future mercy, repair with our hero 'midst the Pyrenean wilds, to sojourn sojourn once more at the long-neglected castle de Vermandois. Painful was the office; but never had his soul shrunk. from what firm duty whispered-it was to descend amid the vaults-it was to visit the unconsecrated grave of a murdered mother, embalmed in the tears of filial tenderness, to remove her manes to the silent resting place of her ancestors. In vain Louisine urged her wish to share the trial; Vermandois was not to be shaken : the alleviating attendance of friendship was alone admitted; and leaving his sister at Lurenville Abbey, accompanied by the marquis, the count:de Montelioné, Du Plessis, and the necessary attendants, he quitted Perpignan Ineffectual were the exertions of cheerfulness; the sad, the melancholy mission sufficed to depress the spirits of the duke; every M 6 every league drew him nearer to the scene of a parent's sufferings, and every well-known turn recalled to mind the hours long past. They ascended the mountain-steeps-they penetrated the dreary pine forest" Ill-fated parents!" faltered Vermandois, as he first distinguished the lone turrets of the castle; "murdered in the moments of security betrayed where treachery was unlooked-for!" True," said the marquis; " yet if beatified spirits ere view the passing shadows of this world-ere read the hearts of men, and trace each secret end of action, then be the sainted parents you deplore blessed-past encrease blessed in the prosperity--but doubly, doubly blessed in the tried virtues of their offspring!" Vermandois forced a smile; but a tear quick quick succeeded-it was the lawful tribute to his feelings, for the east front of the castle was in view; and though a shuddering sigh marked the recognition, yet did his eyes seek out the high casements opening to the stone gallery. No more did the distant echoes vibrate the horn's shrill sound, no more did the frown of defiance scowl on the features of the porter: the reign of terror was past; and the drawbridge lowered by the servant entrusted with the castle's care. The carriage rumbled over it, and paused in the court-yard. Theodore, now duke de Vermandois, bowed in silent acknowledgment to the congratulations of his friends. It was his first entrance beneath the known roof of his ancestors; yet did his heart feel no exultation the ostentatious pride of greatness was valueless, for from the meek humility humility of his youth's instructor, he had learned the true estimate of man's pos sessions-he had learned that the world was full of snares-that life was little better than illusion. But if in wandering through the deserted chambers his feelings warred against composure, so also did the aged Du Plessis: years had elapsed since, guarding the infant Louisine, he had escaped the scene of carnage -since the daggers of a hired band, violating every law of humanity, had, with infernal aim, sought the extermination of an unoffending race-since, through the dire plottings of ambition, gold had paved the way, and necessity had lent a pliant instrument; yet did the memorable night appear as yesterday-yet did the din of horror ring in his ear, as memory, in faithful accuracy, lingered o'er the past. Led |