thoughts, I conjure you, till a more conge nial season.' "The old man bow'd, and retired in silence. "Conducted to my chamber, I first deposited my sleeping treasure, threw myself beside her, and, once more, closed my eyes beneath the roof of my ancestors - beneath that roof, since quitting which I had known little but calamity. CHAPTER XII. At length they chanced to meet upon the way His feet all bare, his beard all hoarie graie, Sober he seem'd, and very sagely sad, And to the ground his eyes very lowly bent, And all the way he prayed as he went, And often knockt his breast, as one that did repent. SPENSER. "BEREFT of a husband, and a son, my remaining treasure became doubly endear'd to me. I superintended her education, myself; and, with transport, beheld her virtues increase with her years and beauty. "She possess'd an understanding very superior to her years; and, while yet a child, would wipe the tears from my cheek, and To cheer me with the voice of comfort. her filial entreaties did I render up the last sad vestige of my beloved Neville, which I had treasured as the apple of my eye. She persisted that the sacred relic did but afford fuel to my grief; and I, at last, consented that it should be deposited in the mausoleum of my forefathers. "Year upon year revolved, in one dull and insipid uniformity, when, one winterevening, (such a one that I would not have turn'd mine enemy's dog into the street') old Patrick inform'd me, there was a poor man at the gate, who press'd hard to see me. "Unused to the call of visitants, I ask'd the old man, if he knew the stranger's business. He made answer, he did not; that he refused to divulge it, and was so muffled up, he could not even discern his face. 'But,' continued he, if I might take the liberty to advise, your ladyship would admit him. He is very importunate-says he has travell'd far to see you;-which I do not doubt is true, for he seems scarce able to stand. He has laid himself down upon the steps, at the hall-door, and says, he will die there, rather than not see you.' "If that be the case, humanity forbids. me to deny his request,' said I. • Give him some refreshment, and bring him hither.' "A squalid, meagre figure, literally stagger'd into the room, with a half bow, and a motion that he desired to communicate with me, in private. In compliance with his desire, I dismiss'd Patrick; when the stranger threw off a wrapping coat, and exhibited, to my astonish'd sight, the neverto-be-forgotten visage of the villain, Der mot. "I shudder'd at the sight of him, and approach'd the door, with the design of flying his abhorr'd presence; but he fell but he fell upon his knees, and, catching the hem of my garment, said, Fly not, but hear me-hear a repentant sinner. The basilisk has lost it's power-and tears of contrition, only, are emitted from it's eyes.' "His alter'd tone, his haggard face, his humble demeanour, (so unlike the once haughty and vindictive Dermot) nail'd me to the spot. 66 6 If you have any thing to say, say it, at once,' replied I: cious.' my time is pre "So is mine,' quoth he; 'my span of life is measured-even now, the sand of my existence ebbs apace. Lady, I have been a heinous sinner. Oh! that my blood would wash away my crimes!' "Miserable man, why come you here?' said I. It is my duty to deliver you into the hands of justice.' "Do so, and rid me of a life that is insupportable-but be brief, or the unerring hand of death will anticipate your vengeance even now, I feel him tugging at my heart-strings! Legions of fiends accompany him, and my soul is lost-lost, past redemption !' "The wretch fainted; and it was not till after a considerable interval he was able to resume his speech, which he did in a more composed manner; entreating me to hear his confession with patience-which he re |