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gether, I resolved to follow you to England, and cast myself at your feet.

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By this time the band of plunderers which I had formed had broken up: they had divided the sum which we had already gained in equal parts, and honourably given me my share.

This, however, was scarcely more than would pay the master of a wretched trading vessel to carry myself and Biancha to England; but we set off, at all risks, and got safely out of the Mediterranean. We were making the best of our way to the port of London, and having passed the Channel, our voyage seemed ended; but in the night, a strong gale drove us to the northward, and we got nearly foundered on the coast of Holland. In coming from thence, we were overtaken by the late high winds,. and from the ignorance of the master, and all on board, we were driven on this coast, and wrecked. Whatever be my faults, I am not a coward, and I saved my poor Biancha-that is one consolation to me,

even now. But in so doing, I was dashed against the rocks near Tinmouth and I am dying. Lord Burton, I have told you all. Baron de S, you are free from the trammels that have so long bound you. But as you are men, and as you are Christians, when I am dead, take care of that unfortunate girl!"

The baron advanced to his bedside, and taking his hand in his " You have wronged me," he said" you have made me miserable for years; but from my soul I forgive you; and may Heaven open the gates of merey to you as freely as I pardon you all you have inflicted on me! And as for her who has only been the instrument of your designs, she shall never feel the sting of poverty. Trust to my honour."

Lord Burton was equally willing to grant him forgiveness; and having made him the same promise, with regard to providing for his wife, who had continued weeping almost the whole time, they left

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him much tranquillized, saying, that they would see him early the next day. But that meeting was destined never to take place-Stanhope did not survive the night. In all probability, the exertion he had made in speaking hurried his death; but the surgeon who had attended him, calling on lord Burton the next morning, informed him, that from the first, no possibility had existed of the unfortunate man's recovery; for that he had been almost dashed to pieces on the rocks near Tinmouth, and had nearly expired in being brought to Newcastle, which was done at his own desire. It seemed as if he wished to die in his native place.

The day after Stanhope's death, lord Burton and the baron made every necessary arrangement for the interment of his remains, and for the future protection and maintenance of his widow.

The baron was all eagerness to fly to his Adelaide, and spent best part of the morning in writing to her an exact ac

VOL. III.

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count of all his faults, and all his sorrows; and pleading, to a heart he knew to be but too sensible, for the forgiveness he scarcely doubted to obtain.

Lord Burton's mind had undergone a still greater relief than the baron's; but the tale he had heard, and the death of Stanhope, had left a melancholy impression on his mind, which, for that day at least, he could not shake off. However, he was equally anxious to return to London; and it was agreed that the next day they should commence their journey, as soon as all their arrangements were completed.

CHAP

CHAPTER XI.

"With wonted fortitude she bore the smart,
And not a groan confessed her burning heart."

The Runaway.

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LORD Burton thought he had done every thing the evening before, and so did the baron; but on the morning they had fixed for their departure, they found so much left undone, that the day was far advanced before they set out. However, when at length they did leave Newcastle, Frederic did so with a heart as light as in his days of boyhood. The cloud which had so long hung over him, obscuring every ray of hope, and shadowing every prospect of futurity, was at length dispelled. The only object which now engrossed his every thought, was the pursuit of her he still so fondly

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