to every inducement held out him to enter on a monastic probation. Hence, the angry discussions and constant quarrels between himself and his protector. A love-sick girl is always a willing dupe-I pitied, believed, and unreservedly gave him my young heart, and loved with an ardour bordering on adoration.

"A few months passed-our stolen interviews were neither so long nor frequent as they had been formerly-for my father's suspicions had been awakened, and his commands that I should avoid Jules Canet more peremptorily repeated than before. We no longer dared to meet in daylight-and when we did converse, it was in the dead hour of the night, when all beside were sleeping. Then I used to meet my lover in the garden, to which the low casement of my little chamber gave me a ready

access.

"One morning, my father appeared unusually disturbed. His impatience during breakfast was remarkable, and I ventured at last to inquire what had occurred to disquiet him so much.

"Carlotta,' he said you are the cause of this uneasiness. That scoundrel, Jules, has again come back to plague the neighbourhood, and report says, that for some new villany the old curé has finally discharged him. I am sorry to disturb that unfortunate man, his father-but now that his worthless son will be with him permanently, I feel myself unsafe, and will take the cottage, though much against my will, from the old vine-dresser. See, as you dread my eternal displeasure, that you hold no intercourse with a reprobate, whom every body expects to go to the galleys should he manage to keep clear of the executioner.'

"I was terror-stricken at my father's communication. What new offence had my lover committed? Pshaw! merely refused, through fond attachment to me to obey his uncle's wish. How easily, when the heart is engaged, does woman find an excuse for the offence of him she loves! Still my curiosity was painfully excited-and I longed for night to see the discarded one, and learn the story from his own lips.

"The time when I might expect my lover came at last, and Jules did not disappoint me. At midnight he was waiting in the garden, and there I joined him. Amid tears and kisses, the fatal quarrel with his uncle was inquired into and answered. I was the cause, and for love of me Jules had mortally offended the stern churchman, and in consequence, had been ignominiously turned out of doors, with a strict command never to return.

"Need I tell you that, considering Jules had become a martyr for his love to me, I was ardent in offering him my sympathy, and giving him assurances of the extent of the attachment I felt for one, who had proved his fidelity at the expense of future fortune. Canêt seized an opportunity so favourable, and pressed me to marry him, and quit my home. In a moment of indiscretion, I consented to take this fatal step. But, ignorant as I was of life, one startling difficulty presented itself. were both penniless. Whither should we fly ?-what was to support us? My poor father had hoarded a purse of gold-I knew it-for he often mentioned that it was intended for my dower when I married. Jules wormed the secret from me, and then, by admirable casuistry, convinced me that the money was actually my own, and persuaded me to rob my own father-and, wretch that I was-I consented.

"The third night was named for the elopement. During that interval I could manage to possess myself of the purse. Means of escape to Naples should in the mean time be provided by my felon lover, and, blinded by passion, I bade him a tender farewell, cold to the extent of the crime I had been persuaded to commit, and only anxious for the hour to come, when I should desert a doting father to bind myself for life to the scoundrel who duped, disgraced, and heartlessly abandoned

me.

"Let me hurry over my first offence-Jules' counsels were faithfully obeyed-and my unsuspecting father was plundered and deserted by his infamous daughter. We reached the capital-there our marriage was solemnised—and in the arms of a specious villain I endeavoured to drown the reproaches of an accusing conscience, and for a time succeeded-but the hour of retribution was at hand.

"Before the second month had passed, a change in my husband's habits and manner became too apparent to escape my notice. He had formed an acquaintance with a Frenchman named Ducasse, and most of his time was spent in this foreigner's society. The money which I had stolen from my father amounted to a much larger sum than I had expected. To Jules its outlay was committed-and in what way it was expended, I neither knew nor had curiosity to make the slightest inquiry.

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A serious change came over Canêt's spirits. In the company of Ducasse, as they both told me, he had visited every place of public resort a statement which afterwards I discovered was untrue. loneliness and disappointment-but no complaint escaped me.

I felt

"One night, my husband and his companion returned much earlier than was customary, and Jules seemed unusually dispirited. He called for supper-the order was obeyed—and, while in an adjoining room, I overheard snatches of a low and hurried conversation. A murmuring statement of my husband concluded with a sentence delivered in a higher tone, that met my ear distinctly, Not worth ten pieces upon earth! Ten! said I? Not five!'

"Bah!' returned Ducasse, contemptuously, 'much cause for complaint when the want is remedied so easily!'

“Would a small sum place matters right?'

"Ay, and every paolo in a few nights would produce a zechino.' "Enough! At least it shall be attempted.'

"They supped-drank for an hour-separated-and my husband announced that he was leaving Naples for three days. I had begun to

dread him. Questions which I had unintentionally asked produced an angry answer. Ducasse and he appeared engaged in secret and dangerous transactions-and suspicion was excited, without any power on my part, of penetrating a mysterious connexion between people who a month before were unknown to each other.'

"A tap at the door interrupted Carlotta's narrative-and Susan, when admitted, placed a billet in her hand. The seal was broken-the eye glanced rapidly over the contents,-and the purport of the note might be inferred from the remarks its perusal caused.

"Suspend opinions, dearest C, until I have a private interview. Think not that past fidelity is forgotten, or the first impressions made

6

'So,

upon the heart can ever be obliterated.' She laid down the note. so,' she muttered, all excellent Dearest C-, past fidelity and first impressions. Fortune places the means within my power of proving my penitence' Ay, penitence, that is the term. Ah! Jules, thou art an unrivalled scoundrel. Twice you saved me from-I dare not write it- I will, M. D'Arlincourt, however, fill the blank your modesty has omitted-the galleys and the gibbet. Help me to fortune now-you shall share it-and you alone.' Oh! none can doubt your sincerity, noble count. 'Meet me at ten o'clock in the garden, and at the termination of the great avenue. Fail not-as you would bind to you for ever a repentant lover, and a devoted husband-if you will only permit that claim to be re-asserted, by, the once happy, JULES.'

6

"For a moment Carlotta turned her eyes with amazement to the ceiling. "Great God!' she uttered, passionately, was ever mortal villany pushed to such extent! Yes, Jules, I will meet thee. But you,

6

lady, shall hear the sequel of my story first. Who gave you this letter, Susan ?'

"The count's attendant. He waits an answer.

What shall I say?" "That at the appointed place, and at ten o'clock precisely, I shall expect his master. Whisper your message in the fellow's ear. Is all quiet, Susan ?

"I think not. The voices of those within the dining-room were loud and angry when I passed the door.' She said, and left us, while Carlotta thus continued

"It was long past midnight, when a knock at the chamber door aroused me. To the inquiry I made, 'Jules' was responded. I rose, withdrew the bolt, and my husband entered. He was deadly pale, and seemed like a man exhausted and over-travelled.

"Well, dear Jules,' I said, as I embraced him, 'has your journey prospered.'

"Yes,' he replied, I am weary-strike another light and fetch some wine.'

"I obeyed the order-brought a flask-and until it was exhausted, Canêt filled glass after glass, and although he had complained of fatigue, seemed in no hurry to retire. I urged him, but he evinced displeasure. At last the convent clock struck three. He rose-drew a leathern purse from his bosom, desired me to secure it until morning, and then reluctantly took the lamp and entered the sleeping chamber. I followed. Alas! it was not to obtain repose.

"Fatigue, assisted by wine drunk freely, produced the effect which might have been expected, and in a short time my husband was asleep. His were not refreshing slumbers-frequent startings, grinding of the teeth, and hurried mutterings bespoke a mind diseased.' At last I could collect half sentences-and, before long, horrible suspicions filled my mind.

"Phsaw! deny it not! 'Tis useless,' he murmured. Where is the leathern bag? Give me the key. I know the chest. No outery will avail. Ha! will you ? Down-down! His face blackens!' a pause of the dreamer followed. How long he struggled and now to smooth the bed. His arm moves! No, 'twas fancy, and a deep groan from a

666

breast surcharged with crime ended the broken revelations of a man whom I ascertained to be a murderer-and, oh! worse far-that man, a husband. Sleep such as his was unrefreshing, and when morning came the sunken eye and haggard look told how fearfully the visions of the night had disturbed the criminal. After breakfast, he asked and received the purse. It was a leathern bag—and, as he poured its contents upon the table, he seemed totally unacquainted with what they were, or to what extent they amounted.

6

"Ten-fifteen-twenty-gold-well,' as he separated the more valuable coins from silver. 'What's here?' and he unfolded a piece of paper. A ring! ay, and I should fancy it one of value. Another packet. Let us unclose it. Bah! a bone! A relic! Pshaw! Off, silly humbug!' and he flung it scornfully upon the floor. A knock!' He started and turned pale. Sweep the money into the bag, Carlotta. Put it aside. I will admit the visiter.' "The stranger was Ducasse. A hasty greeting passed. Canêt followed me to the sleeping chamber-took some money from the bagdesired me to secure the rest-told me he should be absent until supper, and then departed with his friend.

"Horrible suspicions haunted me. I felt assured, as I concealed the purse, that its contents had been obtained by far worse means than theft -by murder.

"It was late when my husband returned. He had evidently been drinking. Another flask was demanded. He drank it. We went to bed. The same excitement, with broken sleep and fearful mutterings, distracted his troubled mind, and kept me waking. Again, Ducasse called next morning. Canêt took the purse-placed it in his bosom-and with the Frenchman left me, after announcing that his return would be late.

"I never remember passing a day so wretchedly as that which shall never be forgotten while memory remains. A weight pressed upon my heart. I feared I knew not what-for some secret presentiment of coming evil irresistibly possessed me, and no effort could overcome it, Twelve-one-two, pealed from the steeple-clock of, the Dominicansand still Canet did not return. I trimmed the lamp, took my rosary, and strove to pray. The words died inarticulate on my lips-and even that solace of the miserable was denied me.

66 6

Suddenly footsteps were heard below-some one knocked and obtained admission-it was not Jules Canêt, and a whispering for a few minutes followed. Presently, I heard several persons ascend the stairs— the door was opened-three men entered the room, unceremoniously, told me that I was a prisoner, and that they were officers of public safety.

"While the principal examined me, the other two searched the apartments-but the personal inquiry and local search produced no proof of guilt, and freed me from suspicion.

"It is what I expected,' said the chief. Poor girl! she is the victim, and not an accomplice.'

"Of Canêt's pursuits, absence, and return, I had been questioned, and answered satisfactorily-and it was intimated that I should merely be placed under surveillance, and required to remain in Naples until the criminal was tried.

"What is my husband's crime ?' I faltered.

"The functionary I addressed turned on me a searching look. "Have you no knowledge of it whatever?'

"None-so help me Heaven!' was the reply.

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Robbery and murder !' returned the official.

"Gracious God! Then are my worst fears realised. Who was the victim ?'

"Muttering a prayer for his soul's repose, the functionary crossed himself devoutly.

"One whom every consideration, human and divine, should have preserved. His uncle!--the Curé of San Fiorenzo.'

"Great God! my fears were true,' I exclaimed, and dropped from the chair insensible.

"When I recovered, I found myself in charge of two females belonging to the house, who treated me with kindness. The police agents had retired-but they had told the women all that I had suspected. The priest of San Fiorenzo had been robbed and murdered-an attempt to fire the house had failed- and though great ingenuity had been employed by the criminal, evidence of the commission of murder, 'foul and unnatural,' remained. The priest had struggled hard-and livid marks upon his throat proved that he had died by strangulation. A belated peasant had seen Jules Canêt hurrying from the house of death; and although positive evidence did not exist for purse and relics had been destroyed before his apprehension-no human doubt existed that Canêt had robbed and murdered his benefactor.

"He was tried. A link wanting in the evidence saved him from the guillotine-but he was sentenced for life to the galleys!'

"I nearly fainted, as I exclaimed,

"Gracious Heaven! and was this villain my destined husband?' "Yes-but more remains-as yet I was innocent of all, save black and damning ingratitude to a too confiding father-ay, one who doated on, forgave, and was deceived again! But to proceed

"The mental agony I suffered when the dreadful intelligence of his condemnation reached me, is not to be described. I was alone in a great city—not a friend to whom I might confide my sorrow-not an acquaintance to counsel or assist me in this afflicting hour of heavy visitation. To crown the extent of my wretchedness, I was absolutely without money, nor did I know a being to whom I dared mention my distress, and sue for assistance. The owners of the house where I had resided since my unfortunate elopement had quickly discovered my poverty; they made my husband's crime a plea for turning me out into the streetsand, without food or shelter, at the dead hour of midnight, I found myself roaming in a part of Naples totally unknown to me. Wearied and unable to proceed further, I sat down beneath the portico of the church of San Isidro, laid my head against a marble column, and breathed a fervent prayer to Heaven that death might end my misery.

"I had not been many minutes in my humble resting-place, before steps approached, and two men stopped at the base of the next pillar. From the position in which I was crouched, and the shadow of the column, I remained undiscovered, although the strangers-two men enveloped in dark mantillas-stood more in moonlight, and were distinctly