The baron's lip quivered as if he meant to speak, but his voice failed him, and he remained silent; while lord Burton advanced towards the sick man. It was now his turn to be agitated: the pale haggard features of the countenance he there beheld came upon his remembrance like some horrible dream, some dreadful and unreal appearance. His cheek became as pale as death; he staggered back, and caught at the arm of the baron for support." God of heaven!" exclaimed he;" who do I see?" 66 Stanhope!" returned the hollow voice of the dying man. 66 Yes, lord Burton, you see Stanhope yet in life." Your imagination, reader, will do more for the feelings of lord Burton than any words could do. The chain which had so long bound every energy of his soul was suddenly broken; it was free, and the unexpected relief almost overpowered him. The moment he had at all recovered himself, a thousand questions and doubts suggested gested themselves to his mind; but before he could speak, he was stopped by the sick man, who held up his hand, as if desiring silence. CHAPTER X. What then? What rests? Hamlet. The History. "LISTEN to me, lord Burton," said Stanhope;" and you, baron, also give me your attention, for I have but little power left to tell my story, and I must tell it my own way. It matters you both much to hear; for you, lord Burton, I have injured from the desire of revenge-and you, baron, from a more mercenary motive. I am now dying, and I have but one view left, left, and that is the only virtuous feeling I have experienced for long-to secure some provision for this woman, my wife". 66 "Your wife!" exclaimed the baron— your wife!" "Do not interrupt me," said the other, quickly, "do not interrupt me; for if you do, you may never hear what much concerns you. Listen to me then. I set out in life with fair prospects. This was my native town. My family and connexions were good; but losing my mother in early life, my father devoted himself more to literary pursuits than to my education. No steady plan was followed towards me in youth, and thence sprung all the evils that have attended me through life. On my father were exercised the first efforts of my turbulent disposition; and on a slight cause I left him, vowing never to return again-a vow that I have kept too well. I wandered to the Continent, and changed my name to Stanhope, which had been my mother's; and after many At many occurrences which lowered me in the scale of society, I obtained a commission in the Austrian horse, and acquired some degree of consideration in my corps, where correct discipline and personal courage were all that was requisite. Vienna, lord Burton, I first met with you; I sought your society, for I thought it might lead me back to that station which I had once enjoyed. You rejected all my advances, and I internally resolved, if ever occasion offered itself, to revenge the slight you had shewn me. Chance led me into Italy, where I met with one whose character was at least new to me. I had hitherto seen scarcely any but the most artful and the worst of women. In Biancha, (and he pointed to her who sat weeping by his side,) I found unsophisticated nature and enthusiasm, which was easily turned into affection for myself. Till I saw her, she was innocent, good, and unsuspecting, with ardent feelings, which might far more easily have been guided to to the noblest actions than perverted to the worst purposes, as I contrived they should be. I loved her certainly I loved her, and I persuaded her to give me her hand in private; and thus for a time I remained in a state of tranquil calmness, the enjoyment of which I had never before known." 66 He paused, and for a moment seemed to think of other, brighter days, the light of which was still reflected on his mind."Such pleasures," he continued, were not calculated to engage, for any length of time, a heart that like mine had been agitated by the tumults of vice and dissipation. I soon found a pretext to leave the confiding girl who had thus clandestinely given me her hand; and returning into Germany, I rejoined my corps, only suffering a reprimand for having outstayed my leave of absence. I now engaged more deeply than ever in play; for the thought of my abandonment of Biancha would frequently return, if I gave myself |