children. I began to assist my father in his charge but even this solitary occupation was no security from their wickedness, for, when a holiday came, they formed parties cruelly to hunt me on the hills.

Nature had given me unusual strength and powers of action, and fear and distress of mind so compelled me to exert these powers, that they became almost miraculous. I fled from the accursed troop with the swiftness of the roe-deer; I leaped across yawning chasms, where the thunder of the torrent, far below, came upwards in a confused and softened murmur; I climbed up cliffs into nooks, where the wild-cat could hardly find footing, and I crept into winding holes in the rocks, where the hill-fox could alone have forced a passage, and where mine was often disputed by his' angry snarl.

"It happened that Lady Deborah, and her husband, were one day riding on the mountains. Mr Delassaux's object was the sport of shooting, and the Lady, always bold and masculine, came with him to witness and enjoy his slaughter. Fatigued and hungry, they came together to my father's door, to procure some refreshment, and cu

riosity led me to look upon them from an inner apartment. The Lady accidentally observed my thideous face, and, at her command, I was very willingly ordered by my father to come forward She affected kindness for me-beard my history

gave me some little present-and, learning that my mother had died in giving birth to me, begged me of my father, making, at the same time, a thousand flattering promises.

For My father, a stern unfeeling man, was glad to rid himself of an unfortunate being, who brought, as he thought, a disgrace upon him; and *I, who, for the first time in my life, then felt the sunshine of kindness, was so warmed by its deceitful rays, that my heart burned towards my benefactress. I clung to her with eagerness, and followed her home with joy.

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I accompanied Mr Delassaux and Lady Deborah to Naples. For some time, my life, compared with what it had been, was easy. But I soon began to be used as a toy, for the sport of the lady and her companions, and even her servants. The tortures I suffered drove my fiery temper almost to madness, and often did I re9solve to escape from my persecutor.

Your angelic mother, who then came to Naples, showed me so much pity and kindness, that when she and Sir Marmaduke were on the eve of returning to Rome, I threw myself on the ground before her, and, clasping her knees, I entreated her to take me with her. My appeal was forcible, and her excellent heart knew not how to withstand it. 11

out benzod "I bade adieu to my tyrant, exchanging what might have been called infernal torments, for what was to me an elysium upon earth. To her benevolence I owe the light of education.ord I loved, nay, I adored her. I could never look upon her lovely countenance, where the kind and warm affections of her pure unspotted soul gleamed in perpetual sunshine, without believing that she was my good angel, sent to redeem me from the fangs of her who had so long acted the part of a demon towards me.But this is a theme on which I could dwell for ever. Time 1 wears, and I must hasten to conclude my tale. 1944 My Lady becoming pregnant, returned to Rome, where Sir Marmaduke died of a malSaria fever. Her affliction was more dreadful than human frame could stand. Violent and some

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what premature labour was the consequence: you were born; and the angel spirit of your mother winged its flight to Heaven. Before she became insensible, she entreated me to see her orphan child, friendless in a foreign country, conveyed to Naples, to be placed under the charge of her sister-in-law, Lady Deborah. I dared not disobey her, and I had no sooner executed my trust, than I was told to be gone. Anxious for the safety of the child, I condescended to plead humbly for an asylum in Lady Deborah's house; but it was peremptorily refused, and I was not permitted to see my former mistress.

"I then heard strange rumours of her and Lord Eaglesholme, and of a child having been born. Some horrible suspicions flashed across my mind; suspicions which must not now be whispered, since we are taught to exercise mercy, and to forgive.

"Finding myself excluded from the house of Lady Deborah, my attachment to the child of my beloved mistress led me to conceal myself in a small hovel, near her villa, and I watched it day and night.

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"One evening, just before sunset, I saw an English sailor loitering about among some orange trees, near the house. I crept slowly into a concealment, whence I could observe him more closely. As the twilight approached, he was joined by Antonio, a ruffian whom I knew to be much in the confidence of Lady Deborah. He carried something over his shoulder in a large silk bag, and I saw it move as he went. They walked off together in silence, and I followed them into a thicker part of the grove, where they seated themselves upon a bank.

"Harrison!" said Antonio, in a mixture of Italian and English, and placing the bag upon his knee, I thought she would be satisfied with exposing the child, but nothing will please her but your tossing it into the bay. So, come! here it is, make up your mind to it. I hope you are tough enough not to mind a trifle of this kind ?'

"Harrison was silent for a moment, and then, without giving a direct reply, he said—

"Let us look at the child before we part.' Antonio then took the infant from the bag. I looked keenly, and as my fears foretold, I saw it