and justice if I wished to avoid fatal | meantime, they had secured suitable establishments in France. consequences. "Oh, God!" I exclaimed d; "hast I went to my room. I flung mythou opened new pitfalls before the self upon my knees. "Oh, God of feet of one who was striving to avoid heaven !" I cried, "thy help and thy them ?" protection are my only hope. Ah, what can be done for Patrick? what for his unhappy wife? O, God! show thy power in this extremity. The cup of our family misfortunes is now full ! " After uttering these words aloud, I was forced to tell Dilnich something of the contents of the letter. "It informs me," I said, "where I can find Patrick; and I must set off immediately for Dublin. He has a quarrel with Lord Lynch." Dilnich wanted to accompany me. "No," I said, "I had better go alone. You can tell my sister-in-law that I will return in a few days, and bring her back her husband." I set off instantly. My haste was so great that I travelled day and night, and the second day I had knocked up my horses. I spent twenty-four hours in securing others. Those twenty-four hours had a great influence on several lives. At last I reached the residence of Anglesey, and was received by his mother and her servants with such solemnity that I was sure I must listen to bad news. Bad indeed! The day before Mademoiselle de L― had left for France in Patrick's company. Patrick had been obliged to quit Ireland at once, having mortally wounded Lord Lynch in an encounter, and Mademoiselle de L had made use of his escort to return to her own country. Anglesey, also, who had long wished to travel, had gone with them, and his two sisters. The old lady had done all she could to dissuade her daughters. She knew nothing of the fatal duel with Lord Lynch, except that he had been the aggressor. She surmised, however, that Mademoiselle de L- might have been its cause. Patrick had reached their house two days after I left it. They had been charmed to see him, and everything had gone on pleasantly till after the return of Lord Lynch. Then suddenly all the party had taken a resolution to go to France. She had heard nothing of the duel till after their departure. Her daughters promised to be back within a year, unless, Then I thought of Lord Lynch, and went to inquire for him at his house. His servants told me he was dying, but would probably see me. I found him endeavoring to dictate a letter. He rallied all his strength, and begged me to hear him. "When I found out the truth from my servants on reaching home," he said, "I was ashamed of having disbelieved you. Yet still I hoped it might be your sister who had been brought over with you from France, and having learned from my servants that you had probably found an asylum at Anglesey's, I rode over there. I found, indeed, that the lady in question was a stranger to me, but I also heard that Patrick had been there two days, and I was anxious to see him, that I might express to him my sense of the obligations that I owed you. He received me much more cordially than I expected, for I feared he might resent your abduction as an outrage; but he laughed over its success, and I passed the remainder of the day delightfully in agreeable company. Must I tell you that the charms of Mademoiselle de L- made a profound impression on me, and that I returned home thinking only of her beauty? Perhaps you are surprised at this; but remember how discouraging to my suit had been your sister-how little I could hope my love would be returned ! "I have not strength to tell you my story at great length. After a few days I spoke to Patrick. Instead of finding him glad to know that I renounced my pretensions to his sister, I found him haughty, defiant, almost insolent when I spoke of the admiration I had conceived for Mademoiselle de L I would bring him back, I thought, "A day or two later I met them take Patrick before his embarkation at walking in close converse in the park, Waterford. and then the truth flashed on me, your brother was my rival. Mutual for he was little in danger in Ireland jealousy soon led to a dispute. I challenged him by a sign. He followed me to a wood. We fought. I was too furious to be upon my guard. His sword passed through me, and I fell. I own with shame that could I have reached my sword, which had flown out of my hand, I would have stabbed myself, and died there where I lay. He penetrated my design, and kicked the weapon out of my reach. Help came, and I was carried to my own house, whence I sent word to your brother that as a dying man I forgave him. of an arrest for a duel. I had taken the precaution to have relays of horses ready for me on the road to Waterford, and the moment Lord Lynch died I was in the saddle, riding as fast as if I had wings. Alas! when I reached the port I found that Patrick and his party had sailed that very morning. I found only my brother's valet, who was seeking means to get back to his mistress, with a message that the circumstances that necessitated his lordship's departure for France had given him no time to write to her or me. He begged me to take all possible care of his wife, and "I have had strength to live longer|begged her not to grieve too much at than I thought, and was dictating a his departure. letter to you when you arrived. You This amount of thoughtfulness on know about the treasure. I have no his part somewhat consoled me. Catholic relations to whom I care to hesitated as to which of those belongentrust the secret. I contide it to you. ing to me most needed my care. Rose Do with it whatever your sense of what had her brother George for her prois right to God or man may suggest to tector; Patrick I might probably not you. You may think it best to give it be able to find. I returned therefore to King James, to whom I have already to Sara. I expected to be the first to offered it, or employ it for God's ser- tell her of her husband's duel, and his vice in other ways. My mother's jew-flight to France; but she had heard it els I destined from the first moment I from a servant she had sent to follow saw them to your sister. Accept them me. Happily she knew nothing of Maon her part, and may they help her to demoiselle de L, of her being in forget the many things I have done to Ireland, or of her connection with the make her hate me. Alas all my life duel. what I have done seems only to have turned people against me, instead of ending in happiness to myself and others." Here he became faint, and said no more; but he pointed to a casket, which was brought him, and he made a sign that I should open it. It contained, besides his mother's diamonds, all the papers concerning the treasure. Then the doctors, whom he had sent away during our talk, came back, and pressing my hand feebly, he implored me not to leave him while the breath was in his body. I stayed, therefore, in his chamber, repeating the prayers proper for his condition, but all the time I felt that I was losing precious moments that might have enabled me to over I found Sara bent on going over to France and rejoining her husband. She implored me to accompany her, and I saw no better way of bringing Patrick back to virtue and to duty than by presenting him so tender and devoted a spouse. Her preparations did not take long, but I noticed that she thought little of her own wants in comparison with those of her husband. Almost everything she took with her was to contribute to his comfort. Whilst she was engaged in this I paid a visit to my beloved parishioners. I was received with transports of joy by my flock. How I wished it had been possible for me never again to leave them! My sister-in-law left all her affairs in I Dilnich's hands. We found a vessel to complete their happiness, " even ready to sail for Dunkirk. We had a Patrick's," ," he added, looking at his. good passage and reached Paris very brother, who cast his eyes down. comfortably. As I drew near the great city, however, I began to feel uneasy, and decided to stop at St. Denis, while I sent a servant into Paris to get news of my brothers and sister. I gave him orders to go first to Count S- and to tell him I had arrived, without mentioning my lady. Then he was to go to Les Saisons, for I presumed Lord Tenermill and Rose to be there. I told him that he need hold no communication with my brother Patrick, but to see Lord Tenermill in private, and beg him to come to me at St. Denis. "However," he continued, 66 I may as well tell you all at once. Rose has obtained everything her heart could wish. The matter of Des Pesses' legacy is settled. The count has won his lawsuit, and they need only wait a short while longer before the wedding day. King James has taken me into favor. He has procured for me the command of an Irish regiment which is to embark for Ireland at the breaking out of the war. He has also promised to give me twelve thousand francs out of his private purse, and he has extended his favor so far as to take I was sitting by a window thinking great interest in Patrick's affairs. Patover my perplexities, and my sister-in-rick came over here, as you know, very law was apparently doing the same in another part of the room, when I heard a carriage drive up, from which, to my great surprise, I saw my two brothers and Count S descend, and then, to my still greater amazement, handed out two ladies, Mademoiselle de Land my sister Rose ! It was by the especial mercy of Heaven that I did not at this sight utter a cry. I was furious at the stupidity of the servant, who had brought these unwelcome visitors upon us all at once. Happily, my sister-in-law did not seem to have heard the carriage. I drew a book from my pocket, and asked her to read a few pages which I pointed out, and give me her opinion of them. I then went down-stairs, ordering one of the servants to stand upon the landing, and not to let any one pass him until I returned. Then I ran down as fast as I was able, and found all the party just entering the hall door. After a few eager fraternal embraces, I had them shown into a room on the ground floor. Patrick looked embarrassed, Mademoiselle de Lserene. Rose and Tenermill satisfied and happy. What could it all mean, I thought. Tenermill spoke first. He said that they were delighted to see me; that they wanted nothing but my presence unhappy. He had been forced into a most miserable marriage with an odious. woman; he was forced to fly from Ireland by the fatal result of a duel, and he has no inclination to return there. I say nothing of his attachment to Mademoiselle de L―, who merits all his devotion. These things I reported to our good sovereign. He thinks that, under all these circumstances, especially considering that the marriage was only a marriage so far as regards. the marriage ceremony, husband and wife having never lived in conjugal re|lations, seeing also that the wife he has in Ireland is the daughter of Fincer, a man whom he naturally holds in abhorrence his Majesty is of opinion that the marriage ought to be dissolved, and yesterday he laid the whole matter before some of the best lawyers in Paris. Their opinion was favorable. The case is now under consideration by two English bishops, after which all we shall have to do is to carry it into a court of law. We are very glad you are here; you can give important testimony; and although the marriage of Patrick was entirely your own doing, you cannot but feel by this time that it was not an act approved by Heaven." His words aroused my anger. Thank Heaven I did not answer him as I might have done. I began by expressing my satisfaction at the good fortune 3 and then I asked him how he could woman. that had befallen himself and Rose, whose virtue and good sense have hith- I turned to Mademoiselle de L. I have given you credit,” I said, "in all our intercourse for good sense and good feeling, an I to change my opinion of you, to-day ?" Then Tenermill, as usual, made light of what he called my "too delicate scruples," and then, turning to Mademoiselle de L said, 66 Trust to me, and feel easy. I promise you that two days hence our good brother will see things just as we do, and doubtless will beseech you to let his be the hand that bestows on you the nuptial benediction." With that he made a sign to the two ladies to leave the room. "Stop!" I cried, before they did so, "and tell me," I added, turning to Tenermill, "what charges you can bring that might secure a decision against a woman as amiable, as affectionate, as virtuous as your sister-in-law ? She has even quitted her own country for Patrick's sake. She is at this very moment in this house. She has come here to follow his fortunes, or to stand by his side in danger. If you bring this matter to trial she shall not be undefended. She is rich enough to pay lawyers. She is a woman of energy and spirit, and I will stand by her to the last moment, pitying her misfortunes, and admiring her virtue." She burst into tears, and answered that she had no wish to trouble the repose of our family. That she had never had any hope that the marriage could be dissolved until Lord Tenermill had assured her of the favor of the king, and the opinion of the lawyers. Here Rose broke in, and confirmed her words, adding many things in her justification. But the moment I perceived that Rose was on her side I sighed bitterly, and felt that there was. no one left in whom I could place confidence. My two brothers at last came back to me, and Patrick, who was the spokesman, thanked me for not having told my sister-in-law that they were in the house, for that under present circumstauces he could not see her. "We will leave you now," he said. "We can meet in Paris. I am staying with Count S- where at any hour you can find me. Make all arrangements you think proper for my wife. everything you can to make her comfortable." Do. Though much in this speech roused my indignation, I endeavored to restrain my feelings. It seemed to me there was more to be feared than hoped from an interview between Patrick and his wife at that moment, and I reflected, too, that if I was to bring Patrick back by my exhortations to his duty, what I said would have more effect in private than in the presence of so large a company. However, I offered two objections. One was that through the servants my lady would be almost sure to hear that their master had been at ing into our family. the house and had not seen her; “and "Can you do this," I said, "you in the second place," I said, "how will Great was their astonishment as I made this speech. My two brothers and Count S drew apart and spoke in whispers, whilst I profited by the opportunity to reproach Mademoiselle de L for the trouble she was bring it look if she is lodged in a strange | added that they had left as soon as I house in Paris, where she cannot fail was called away to her ladyship, but to know that Rose and Tenermill have that they had not gone far before Miss set up an establishment." Rose had sent him back to tell me that I had better take my sister-in-law to Les Saisons. I had tears in my eyes and bitterness in my heart as I spoke thus to them. Before they could answer a commotion in the rooms above startled us, and one of my sister-in-law's servants, abruptly interrupting us, asked me to come to her. I hastened to obey. This man, who was much in the confidence of his mistress, the same whom she had sent to follow me when I went to the house of Anglesey, had found his way to her, notwithstanding the precautions I had taken, and had told her, not only that his master and several of his family were in the house, but also what he had heard from Count S- -'s servants, that there was a project of divorce on foot, against which he warned her. I found her in a terrible state of agitation — of anger and of jealousy. At first she was disposed to accuse me of having had a share in the treachery. I could only pacify her by promising that in twenty-four hours without fail I would bring her husband back to her. "Trust me," I cried, "trust my honor and my zeal. Nothing can be done against you in one day. I have plans that I had rather not explain to you. If the hope I have that my brother may listen to my advice should fail, I give you my word that the measures I shall adopt as a last resort will succeed infallibly.' But my present difficulty was where to find lodgings. At that moment my old servant Joe presented himself. He explained the unexpected arrival of so large and unwelcome a company by telling me that my man had given my message to Count Sand had then set off to Les Saisons, where I had told him he would probably find Lord Tenermill. Meantime, Count S- had hurried to give the good news to my brothers and Rose, who were in Paris, and taking the whole party in his coach, had come to greet me. They had all arrived at St. Denis greatly delighted at at the thought that I was there. Joe This at least relieved my mind from a present anxiety. I sent Joe to our country house at once to get things ready for our arrival, and I went back to my sister-in-law, whose anger had given place to despair. "I know too well," I said, "what reasons you have for complaint; but do not make things worse by indulging unfounded suspicions. You are expected at Les Saisons. Rose can hardly have sent you a message to that effect without the consent and approval of your husband." This seemed somewhat to comfort her; and during our little journey I talked to her in a way that I hoped might give her courage and tranquillity. But alas! we had no sooner arrived at our country place than she became so ill that her women put her to bed, and I sent in all haste for a doctor. As I sat beside her, she opened her heart to me as she had never done before. I was more indignant at her husband's conduct than she was. I was almost ready to start at once for Saint Germain, to throw myself at the king's feet and implore him to lend no countenance to a divorce, which seemed to me the utmost stretch of cruelty. Just then I heard a carriage entering the courtyard. I supposed that it was that of the doctor whom I had sent for. What, therefore, was my astonishment when I went down to receive him, to find myself met by Mademoiselle de L- and Rose ! "What brings you here?" I cried. Then turning abruptly to Mademoiselle de L- I exclaimed, "How dare you enter a house that owes suffering and sorrow to you? 99 My sister stopped me, saying in Irish that they came on a mission of peace and reconciliation, and that I should be sorry for my harshness to her companion when I knew what she had come to say. She then turned into a small room, |