To escape the horrors of the trial which now seemed to be nearly in evitable, was my sole and last chance; I felt relief from the consideration. "No more," thought I, "shall I have to appear before the eyes of the pure and virtuous. I have done with hope and disappointment, jealousy, wounded pride, and shame. I have only to escape the further notice of the world, and to bury the memory of my existence in the covert of obscurity! Such were a few of the thoughts which half unconsciously passed across the torpor of my exhausted mind. The witness of the fatal deed which had thus involved my fate, was no more; and though suspicion might be awakened, yet it was not the interest of any one concerned about uncle Richard's fate, to hold up my name to infamy. My uncle Peter was vindictive, harsh, and unappeasable-but my brother and his noble friend would surely stand between me and the infamy of pursuit. I reached Loch Abbey-the doors were open-no one appeared-there was no answer to my call. The evening was closing in; so I had nothing for it but to lead round my horse to the stables, and then make search for some of the few persons who were at this time retained about the Abbey. I had not proceeded far in searching through the deserted rooms, when I heard the sound of merry-making voices from an upper room. I ascended, not well pleased at the neglect.

On reaching the door of the chamber where the noise proceeded, I perceived that an angry altercation was going on within, and stopped in order to ascertain how far I might be concerned in it.

"I'll be," growled a deep-toned voice, "but there's no use in talking to old women at all. I believe it's to marry the young gentleman she's after."

"Ho, ho," laughed another male voice in a sharper key than the former. "And if I did," answered a shrill treble, "what need you mind, Paddy? I believe I'm as good as the gallows, any how."

"It's a toss up between yees," answered the deep voice.

Why then, much good may it do her; 'tis himself will soon be eased of her. We'll have the place between us two, Tom, agra."

"You blackguard-you curse of a villian," screeched the anile voice, “do you think I'll give up my third? I'll go this instant before his honor, John D, and blow up all of your plans, that I will." There was a momentary scuffle, and much scothing language, which at last appeased the old woman, who still went on muttering, “Hagh, my_boys, I think ye'll not come over Katty M'Cabe that ways."

So," thought I, "the vulture and the carrion crow are fighting upon my carcase." By the voices I could perceive that they were all under the effects of drunkenness.

But, Mr. Cardiff," said the deep voice, "how will it be if we miss the lad ?"

"How do you mean, Pat?" answered the other male.

"If the law should get hould of him, I mean."

sure

Pooh, man alive, be asy; haven't I the depositions in my own hands, drawn up by myself, and signed by Tony O'Roorke himself; and arn't yourself the only witness to the murder of Tony."

"Well now, my jewel of a man, Mr. Cardiff, do you think that my Lord A, and Mr. Edward will let it go with us so quiet and easy?"

“Och man, you know nothing of the matter; to be sure they'd make a lunatic of the poor young lad in three shakes-but we'll shew them a trick worth two of that, Paddy-you must leave all that to me, Pat, my darlint.".

"But I'd like to be insensed for all that, Mr. Cardiff. I'm ready to hear reason as any man, by the turnel o' war, but I wont be diddled unknown'st, for any man. I'm no fool, Mr. Cardiff."

"I'm really surprised, Mr. Cadian, that you'd talk in that way. I only mean that I'll guide the lad to act quite rational."

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Why then, I'll tell you now, Pat, and there's no way but the one. First, lave me alone to spake him fair, and get the management of him quietly, then we'll set up the whole estate to sale in his own name-I, Timothy Cardiff, acting as his honor's agent, and receiving the hard cash down on the nail. Then-arrah, be aisy now and hear me out-then when the great people think that the lad is fobbing the money himself, we'll divide it snugly among the three of us."

Give us your fist, then, Timothy Cardiff, Esq. and Tim, I say, Pathrick Cadian, Esq. likewise, for we'll be equal to the first in the land."

"And Lady Katty McCabe too," said Cardiff, with a sneer.

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Well now Katty," said Cardiff, "it's bad enough, after all, to lose the estate -we can't reasonably expect that the poor boy will take to the likes of you." I'll tell yees what it is, now both of yees, and mind my words-I'll be his lady, or he'll swing on the front of Mayo gaol; ay, if ye were to go down on your marrow bones there. 'Tis not for nothing he's in my power."

"I'll tell you what, Katty agra,” said Cardiff, "listen to reason, you'll betray us all if you talk of such a thing-no one would believe, that the young gentleman with the price of Loch Abbey in his pocket, would go take an ould riff like yourself. Sure won't you be a great lady without him-what argefies a name? You may have Mr. Cadian there, and then we'll divide more equal

in two."

Spake for yoursilf, Mr. Cardiff," interrupted Paddy.

"I'll have Master Joe-as sure as there's a gallows in Castlebar," screeched the obstinate hag.

I had been for nearly half an hour an involuntary listener-horror and disgust, even to sickness, and loathing enchained ine; and it was only by a violent effort that I unrooted myself from the spot where I stood, within a few feet of this most appalling conversation. A day or two would, I now saw, place my

name before the hate and scorn of the world-a byword and a term of reproach. These wretches would learn, upon the arrival of my uncle Peter, that their best course would be to become witnesses. I might perhaps bribe them highly to silence—and when satisfied of my firmness not to yield further, they would follow their own interest. Should I enter the room and make my terms? They were too far advanced in intoxication. I determined that they should not leave the house, before I might make up my mind what to do. I gently examined the doorthere was a key in the lock. Waiting until their voices mingled loudest-for they were now all vociferating together, I turned it and locked them in. "They are in my power, come what will of it,” thought I, as I gently stole down stairs, sick and fevered with agitation.

My brain was in a whirl-and I left the Abbey in hopes to collect myself. Thought after thought crowded my brain schemes, terrors, humiliation. Should I die by my own hand—no, I had an habitual and constitutional terror of death-I had seen the spectre too fearfully. I could easily silence the intoxicated wretches-I had enough of that. There was, I felt, an Eye that witnessed, and a Hand that turned my hidden misdeeds against myself. Suspicion lay upon me, and all would be interpreted into one fearful tissue by the avengers of my uncle's blood. Yet I would try to silence my accusers

I could bribe higher than justice would pay, and I should have strong interest. I would make over my property to Edward, and begin life anew in the wilds of the western world.

It was a calm night, the clouds were moving heavily above the waters, and darkness gathered fast around my steps. The way was familiar, and I moved unconsciously on, until I found myself on the summit of a lofty cliff, on which a moss temple had been built, on account of the extensive prospect the spot overlooked. I entered and sat down-the act was habitual. Strange it was, the thought that in that moment rushed upon my heart. From the vulgar and almost demoniac crew which I had just left in the home of my ancestors, scheming my destruction with drunken avidity; my thoughts reverted through the gloom of years, to the forms that

had sat round me in my earliest youth, in this very seat; here was the scene of many a childish festival-Edward, and Mary, and myself, and many a youthful visitor-their forms rose around me, drest in the heart-speaking smiles of youth and innocence. There was a sense of protection in the hallowed images. I wept for the first time; in all my agonies I had shed no tear. I now wept profusely-a light came over my darkened spirit, as if an angel spoke within me, I felt the impulse to throw myself on my knees amid the darkness of night, and call aloud for mercy and forgiveness.

A sudden gleam of light flashed far out upon the dark surface of the waters beneath. "Was it a sign from heaven," thought I. Again, again, and again it flashed out, and fell tremulously upon the lake. I looked among the clouds; another broader and yet brighter gleam tinged their dense and low masses with broken streaks of dank and shadowy light. "What is it?" thought I, looking round, as the black est midnight seemed rather to swallow than to conceal the glimmering scene; it was not many seconds before a broader, brighter, and longer break of the same quivering and undulating light suddenly poured itself forth upon the night. I could see the low, dark level of the opposite shore-a line of fire seemed to shoot out like a waving tongue upon the black waters-and the Abbey stood dark against the luminous haze, on which its towered outline was minutely visible. "The Abbey is on fire," burst from my lips, as I stood gazing, transfixed with wonder, suspense, gratitude, vindictive satisfaction, which chased each other stormily across my mind.

The blazing light momentarily grew more permanent and brighter-and a clearer and farther prospect of scenery became disclosed in its waving and flickering radiance. It was a strange and ghastly spectacle-the whole region around seemed to dance with a frightful movement, and the black specks of shadow seemed to people the scene with fiendlike forms as they danced to and fro amid streaks of illumined cliff, or masses of more uncertain light. It

was not hard for a guilty conscience to realize the dreadful picture, which it so vividly represented of those horrorpeopled regions, where hope can never come:" and to complete the dismal illusion-a wild and melancholy wail of many voices, now broke along the doubtfully illumined shore-like the wailing heard by the brink of that infernal river

"Cocytus, named of lamentation loud,
Heard on the rueful stream."

The sea-gulls had been roused from the shore and island cliffs, and flashed like spirits across the gleam-as their screams awoke the wild echoes of the mountain lake. My cars tingled with horror when a louder cry, like the voice of human agony, mingled among their clamouring notes. "When shall I escape from horror," thought I, as a column of most fearful splendor burst up, from the highest roof of the castle. A broad red canopy floated over head like the broad banner of destruction.Around, the clouds hung fiery and lurid, like the ribbed vaults of the infernal prison. A painter might have sketched the minutest tracery of the hills-the spotted cliff, the rocky islands, and the darkly visible moors beyond. It was a superb yet horrible sight.

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The traces of my guilt arc effaced," thought I. " Alas! the home of my childhood sinks in yon devouring elementthe fireside where my mother sat is ashes the boards of which I could read the minutest stain, into some old boyish deed-are at this moment becoming charred, and crumbling into ruin-the towers which cheered the coming guest from far-will, at morning, be missing from their place above the woods of Loch Abbey."

In the morning I was far on my way to Dublin-you know the rest of my history. Loch Abbey, in its dilapidated condition, I transferred to your father and mother-while the sale of a large portion of the estates furnished me with the means of settling in Louisianawhere your steps have been, I trust, providentially conducted-to lay me in the dust; and to fill the place of an heir. I shall welcome the moment of my release.