behold the splendour and elegances of this abode, and the vast train of retainers that await my will; yet think that, in the midst of state and power, I, the mistress of this proud and princely dwelling, must tremble before a wretch an outcast, with whom the poorest of my dependents would scorn to hold intercourse— must feel that I am an accomplice in his guilt; and that guilt — the murder and robbery of one who stood to me in the position of a parent, who was my sole relative and protector, can you wonder that my brain is nearly maddened, and that I pray for death, unfit as I am to meet it?

He has written to me.

On entering my

chambre de toilette to dress for dinner, my attendant presented me with his letter.

"The person who gave it to me, madame la comtesse," said Claudine," was a foreignera terrible-looking man; so much so, that all

before;

the servants bantered me on the bad countenance and shabbiness of appearance of my visitor; for so he represented himself to be, though I assured them that I did not know him. One of his eyes is concealed by a black patch, and his huge whiskers and moustaches nearly cover his face. I certainly have seen him yes, now I recollect having seen that wicked face somewhere. Oh, yes-it was, sure enough, at the village of Ellersly, the very day preceding the shocking death of your poor aunt; for I remember, when I heard of the murder, I immediately said to her maid, good Mrs. Western, that I had seen the most suspiciouslooking man imaginable, the day before, in the village. But she answered, that he could have nothing to do with the murder, all the windows and doors having been found fastened on the inside; therefore,' continued Mrs. Western,' you

see, Claudine, the dreadful crime must have

been committed by some one in the house,

otherwise either a door or a window must have been found open.""

Think, Delphine, what were my feelings during this harangue.

"Well, madame la comtesse," resumed Claudine, "this is the very same man; there cannot be two such in the world, I'm sure. So he sends in for me, saying he was a friend of my lady's maid, and wished to speak to her." Give this letter to your mistress," cried he, "when she is alone;" and he looked so fierce and proud withal, my lady, that somehow he frightened me. I took courage, however, to tell him that I never delivered letters to madame la comtesse.

"I command you to be the bearer of this!" replied he, "and your lady, when she has read it, will acquaint you, you have done well;" and off he walked, while the servants,

who came crowding round to stare at him, slunk back, alarmed by the sternness and ferocity of his glances. To be sure, when he was gone, they were all bold enough; for they fell to abusing his looks and manner, and accusing me for having such an acquaintance, saying he looked like a thief, or something worse."

Having dismissed Claudine, whose loquacity, once set in motion, it is difficult to arrest, I locked the door, and, with trembling hands, opened the letter. The sarcastic insolence of its comments on my marriage, and the menaces of exposing me to my husband, unless I shall comply with his conditions, I leave you to imagine; they are dictated in the most malignant spirit, and expressed in the most insulting language. He added, that he learned by the papers the murder of my aunt, and hoped that I had nothing to accuse myself of

in that mysterious affair-though the circumstance of all the doors and windows having been found secured on the inside looked somewhat suspicious.

Delphine, this man is a fiend! and such is the extraordinary malignity of his nature, that I sometimes almost entertain that superstitious dread of him which is described, in some of the German works, as being inspired by evil spirits who have assumed the human shape. He writes that, now I have become a great and rich lady, he gives me notice that I am to consider myself as the agent who is to supply his exigences, and with no niggard hand; that he will permit me to continue unexposed in my present dignity so long as I find means to administer to his wants; but that, if I do not furnish him with a sufficient liberality to enable him to live in a manner befitting his birth, he will denounce and hurl me from my