can expect no sympathy, and whose presence awakens only painful recollections.

My first inquiries have been for Lord and Lady Vernon. They are, God be thanked! better than I dared to hope. The Delawards have devoted much of their time to console them; and they have succeeded in reconciling them to the decrees of Providence, the more easily from the conviction the excellent and bereaved parents feel, of being, ere long, reunited to her they have lost.

Lady Delaward is the mother of a daughter, whom she has named Augusta, and to whom Lord and Lady Vernon are fondly attached.

You have, of course, heard that Annandale
Does not this

is married to Miss Montressor.

union explain the motive of the scheme against the honour and peace of the wronged and innocent being I deplore? a scheme in which, even from the commencement, I suspected Miss

Montressor to be implicated. I shuddered on

hearing of the unholy nuptials. Unhappy Annandale! how has he been duped! He,

"Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away,

Richer than all his tribe!"

My sister's malady has assumed a

more.

favourable aspect, and her physicians think that the influence of a milder climate may restore her to health. I shall accompany her to Italy, and devote all my time and attention to this, the only tie that now binds me to life.

A most fearful piece of intelligence has this moment been communicated to me. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence! Annandale is no more. He has been murdered by the Chevalier de Carency-the seducer of the wife has been the assassin of the husband. Lord Calderwood has given me the particulars

of this horrid affair, and has been with one or two friends of the family to Annandale House, and heard the depositions of the servants. The evidence of the femme de chambre of the wretched Lady Annandale proves, that having entertained suspicions disadvantageous to the Chevalier de Carency, she had communicated them to the valet de chambre; and both agreed, when that wretch insisted on seeing their lady (though informed by the porter that she was not visible), to remain in waiting in the anteroom, where they could overhear what occurred. The valet and femme de chambre state, that on le chevalier's entering the chamber, he reproached the countess, in terms of gross insolence, for having refused to receive him. Lady Annandale spoke in so low a tone of voice that they heard not her reply, but he menaced her loudly and violently. They distinctly heard him demand money from her;

and, shortly after, exultingly exclaim, "It is well! these diamonds shall be mine." Lady Annandale appeared greatly agitated, entreated him not to take the diamonds, promising that, if he returned them to her, she would, on the next day, give him the money he required; but he refused to comply with her request. They heard the unhappy woman exclaim, "On my knees, I entreat you-I implore you, restore to me the bracelets! my husband will expect to see them, and, if I cannot produce them, I shall be ruined."

At this moment they heard Lord Annandale ascend the stairs; and they had only time to retreat into another room when they heard him struggling with le chevalier, and the countess uttering frantic cries. They gave the alarm; the servants rushed into the room, and discovered their lord mortally wounded by a poniard, and his wretched wife senseless on the

body of her murdered husband. The assassin was seized after a desperate resistance; and on

his

person was found a pair of diamond bracelets, which had that day been presented to Lady Annandale by her lord, as was proved by an unfinished letter open on her table.

The suite of apartments occupied by le chevalier, at a fashionable hotel, have been searched; and several valuable articles of jewellery, since recognised by the femme de chambre as having belonged to her mistress, as well as various other trinkets, were found, which, it is supposed, will lead to the discovery of other crimes.

The vile assassin is committed to prison, and an inquest is now being held on the body of the unfortunate Annandale. To-morrow we shall hear the result. My nerves have been greatly shaken by this horrid catastrophe, which has excited general consternation in