munion. I was terrified and delighted, uplifted and cast to earth alternately, as my extreme love, and his, became apparent to my aching heart. How could it continue? how was it to end? A female servant always accompanied me to the artist's house. She was a creature of the Marchese, but conceived a love for me greater than his bribes, and besides this, she was very glad to be allowed to amuse herself where she pleased for a time. I could scarcely make up my mind to confess my position to Sebastiano. Do you feel his name vibrate in your bosom, my son? We wept tears of mutual wretchedness at the cruel fate that sundered us, and agreed to part -never to meet again. Then we agreed to meet again, but only as dear friends. We met many times, and found that dear friendship, and no more, was as impossible as separation. You, my son, are called 'Sebastiano' after this object of my first affections. He was thy father. Think not evil of thy mother in her grave, but think of all her sufferings which I have already told-of those which cannot be told-and of what is yet untold. One day Andreugo hinted darkly at some suspicions. In extreme terror, I told Sebastiano. I had no money to bribe the wretch. Sebastiano gave him money, and also presents of wine, with which he continually intoxicated himself, even to insensibility. I heard no more of his suspicions. Soon-oh how soon-a few weeks that seemed to have flown like days, or rather, hours and my life's bliss was dashed into turbulent air. A letter arrived from the Marchese, ordering the portrait to be sent to him, and adding, that he should arrive in Naples within a month. The words stunned me. The very characters of his hand seemed to leap up into my eyeballs till I reeled with the aching pain! A month!-It was like to-morrow! What was I to do?-Fly with my lover?-whither? If I remain, is it not certain all will be discovered? Can I evade those eyes?-again endure his loathed embraces? Ah let me fly! I had resolved on this, and Sebastiano began directly to concert the measures, when, three days after the receipt of his letter, to my utter consternation, the Marchese presented himself before me! There were no marks of suspicion in his countenance, and no other expression than what I had been too well accustomed to see both waking and dreaming; but I fancied as he wound me in his long arms, that there was an air of more than usual savage voluptuousness in the action. I fancied, also, there was a malignity in it; but this I persuaded myself was mere apprehension, from a consciousness of all I had to conceal. Five days passed-I know not how-my reason was in a delirium of terror and disgust; and when I thought of Sebastiano-I wished to die. Shortly, however, the Marchese having removed me to his mansion in the Strada di Toledo, placed all my fears beyond doubt. Who but he could have so delayed it! 'Twas on the night of the seventh day-and at what a moment!-Will not the kind earth swallow me at the thought! But do not think me mad. I know quite well what I am writing. He told me he knew all !-His long arms, like serpents, | out giving cause of suspicion, was eventually wound round me, and yet again he whispered brought to his house, and formally introduced -he knew all! I gasped, and struggled, and as my convulsed senses were thickening into insensibility, his abhorred tongue still whispered-he knew all! It was some days ere I recovered my senses. I saw nothing of the Marchese. I had no possible means of communicating with Sebastiano, who, I doubted not, would be speedily reached by the stiletto. Almost a week passed while I remained a prisoner in my apartment. In the middle of the first night in which I had really fallen into a slumber since the dreadful words which ever sounded in my ear, I was awakened by a hand being spread roughly over my neck. I awoke with a scream, for it was my husband! After looking at me with fiendish malignity for several minutes, he set his lamp upon the table-[A break here occurs in the Manuscript, as though nearly a whole page had been obliterated.] He arose, and seating himself close to my pillow, drew forth a knife, and said these words, "I know all that has passed between thee and Sebastiano. Was it for such a man that you refused the hand of the Marchese di Albarozzi! You turn pale, but you will look paler when you are a ghost!" In answer to this I could only gasp out for "Mercy-mercy!" He felt the point of his knife with his fingerends. "Well," said he, "'tis certain you are very young. Your noble parents should not have been so heedless in getting you richly married off—and I ought to be merciful. Come, I shall make my terms. Swear to me an oath that you will never divulge, by word, or look, or sign, what I shall at fit time impart-nor attempt to thwart my purposes-nor suffer Sebastiano to know of this discovery." Had the hand of God fallen upon me, I would have welcomed death, but thus to be coldly butchered, by one who seemed to me more like a demon than a man, was beyond my strength to endure. I repeated the oath after him, pausing many times in horror; it was one of that awful kind which I felt it would be impossible to break, without forfeiting every hope of salvation. A ghastly smile overspread the features of the Marchese, and he then left me. The Marchese, I found, had received the information from old Andreugo, who had frequently counterfeited drunkenness to lull my suspicions of his vigilancy. Thus the matter rested. Some months passed, and the Marchese behaved to me almost the same as formerly, when to my renewed astonishment I found that he had made acquaintance with Sebastiano! What dreadful events did I not anticipate! Sebastiano being unable to avoid the Marchese with to me, now for the first time designated as the Marchesa Albarozzi. The Marchese would never appear to notice our emotions, and often turned his back as it were purposely; but he seldom did so without facing a mirror, in which I frequently saw his smiling visage watching us. I could not, therefore, have made any sign to my lover, even had no oath bound me to concealment. Two entire months crawled away in this cold protraction of some horror which I felt sure was to come. One evening the Marchese proposed a water excursion for the ensuing day, inviting Sebastiano to be of the party. A vessel was got in readiness-the hour arrived, and the others who were invited not coming in time (as it was pretended), the Marchese affected great anger, and sailed out into the bay without them. I now saw that some dreadful tragedy was to take place, which the wide blind ocean was alone destined to witness. We sailed out a league or two with a good wind, the Marchese keeping Sebastiano in conversation nearly the whole time. About noon we lay-to, for the purpose of fishing; and a kind of platform on one side was drawn up, to render the deck wider. This platform had been constructed to the orders of the Marchese. It was in two parts, each formed of planks to the width of about four feet, which lay flat to the side of the vessel; and they were to be drawn up level with the deck, like the flaps or leaves of a table, and fastened in that position by an iron bolt to each. On these platforms we sat above two hours watching our lines, but caught nothing. We now ceased this intolerable occupation, during which I was compelled to command myself to something like a composed appearance. We left the platforms. The Marchese, unobserved by Sebastiano, threw a quantity of raw meat overboard, and very shortly I observed several sharks, which at this season are abundant in the Bay of Naples, were darting or lurking round the vessel's sides. We presently descended to dinner, and the Marchese began to ply Sebastiano very ardently with wine, appearing in great spirits, and professing the utmost friendship for him. To my consternation, I found Sebastiano deceived by this, and partaking very freely of wine, as though he would drive away tormenting thoughts. Was it poison? I believed so, and seizing a cup, drank a deep draught to the health of the Marchese. He turned his head aside, and smiled hideously. I saw I was wrong. We thus continued till almost evening. I begged we might return. dismay when the Marchese replied that the weather would continue very serene now that What was my the wind had died away, and he purposed | arms enfolded their victim! should he murder therefore to remain out at sea a day or two. one whom I loved so unutterably? "So then," ejaculated I mentally, "he will give us both to the dark bosom of the sea, or to the jaws of the sharks. Can I save him!-can I save him!" I continued saying these last words to myself till it grew dark-and then I forgot my oath. The moment of trial at last arrived. Whatever might happen to myself, I resolved to make some effort to save Sebastiano. The sailors who accompanied us, had all gone below to their berths. No one was allowed to keep watch. I saw the wine had affected my lover's head-me it had also affected, but the greatness of my purpose rose above everything, and while his senses were heavy and bewildered, mine were exalted to the highest pitch, and seemed to soar above despair. The Marchese beckoned me aside, and fixing his detested eyes upon me, said in an under tone: "Now, daughter of the proud poor English noble-now comes my hour. You have enjoyed yours, brief though it has been-I shall do the same. The delay has been already an empire of revenge! Beware thy oath!— Think whom it invoked, and what it imprecated!" As he said this he ascended to the deck, leaving me a complete statue-alas! only in limb. Yet wherefore regret that I retained life do I repent? No-I recovered with a start 'twas like transformation. "I will save him!" said I aloud, "I will save him! No matter for my oath-Almighty God knows that my lips only uttered it-it was without reason, without soul." I turned round to hasten to Sebastiano, and found the Marchese standing close behind me! He had penetrated my purpose, and instantly returned. "I have decided," said he in a low voice, that thy hand shall precipitate him into the watery hell I have prepared! Nay, retire not, for it shall be so. The many hungry fangs which now await-But enough of wordsgo, and remove the iron bolt of the foremost platform-go, I say! All possible entreaty is in vain-go, the bolt of the platform nearest the bows-withdraw it." Such is the blind confusion of those who are about to perpetrate a murderous act, if anything occurs contrary to their preparation and forecast conclusions. So blind was the Marchese. I ascended to the deck. Something flashed directly across me, for, it was not thought. My frame rocked a moment at the dreadful alternative. My husband!-the man whom before Heaven I had sworn at the altar to obey, to honour, to-but whom I had injured beyond reparation-oh, husband, did I say!A malignant fiend, was he not ?-Should he live to exult over this deed, even while his serpent I hastened along the dark deck, and without further hesitation withdrew both the bolts; but in the place of the second, I introduced a very short bit of wood, which was imperceptible in the darkness. I descended-the Marchese met me before I entered the cabin. "Have you removed the second bolt ?" "I have." "The one on the foremost platform ?” "I have." "Wretch! you have not!" "By the same oath which you forced me to take, I have!" I was a weak woman in his eyes--his slave, as he had dared to call the daughter of an English nobleman-and he had used her worse than a mere slave; but he dreamt not what that woman's love could do. At this moment I felt it was I who was terrible, and he the fool of his own villanies. We entered the cabin together, and the Marchese invited Sebastiano to walk on the deck, as the night was serene, and the sea-breezes would be refreshing after a hot day. He gladly acquiesced, and we all three walked backwards and forwards on the deck, till the Marchese paused opposite the first division of the platform! side! My heart seemed beating through my "Come," said he, motioning Sebastiano to walk upon the other platform, "come, let us watch the phosphoric sparkles which dance among these breaking ripples. You are a painter, and should notice everything. They are conjectured to be animalculæ, though others affirm-" As he was talking thus, he advanced upon the aftermost platform! It held fast by reason of its stiffness, or the new wood being swollen by the water. Sebastiano had placed one foot on the other platform, when in my confusion, believing I had made some mistake, I grasped him by the arm with a choked scream. The Marchese started-understood everything-I knew it by his momentary look, for at this instant (and the whole happened in less time than I relate it) the aftermost platform fell, and he was precipitated into the sea! The first action of Sebastiano was to seize a rope to throw over for the Marchese as soon as he should rise; but I grasped him frantically, and his struggles were in vain. The sailors hearing the noise, came scrambling up to the deck. And now at some distance on the dark sea were heard most frightful screams, such as terrified those who knew the cause only ;-though no one felt like me-no one knew what I had known. And still more dreadful were the cries repeated, far and near, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much."-LUKE vii. 74. +"Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."--JOHN viii. 1. THE DOCTOR'S THIRD PATIENT, OR REMINISCENCES OF OLD DR. MICAH ASHER. BY THE REV. JOHN TODD, d.d. treated more carefully. Had she some chronic disease, hidden, but sure to make war upon the system till it had destroyed it? I would leave no efforts unmade, by which to dislodge the foe. Long before morning I had imagined and treated a score of diseases in my new and fair patient. I even rose an hour earlier than usual, and read what books I had on "Scrofula," "Phthisis," and "Spine." Nor need I feel ashamed to own that I brushed my boots, coat, hat, and hair with at least common care, and drew on my best gloves at an early hour. On my way I studied what might be the golden medium between the cheerful, buoyant look with which a physician wants to encourage his patient, and that long face of sympathy which he wishes to put on to show that he has deep sympathies, and feels the responsibilities of his position. I am inclined to think the latter predominated, for on my saying to the young lady that I hoped she was not seriously ill, she burst into a laugh, and said she was never in better health in her life. I threw myself at once upon my dignity, and said that as she had done me the honour to intimate that she wished to consult me professionally, and as she was in such perfect health, I was at a loss to know how I could assist her. She dismissed her looks and tones of levity at once, and gave me to understand that she wanted my assistance in behalf of an uncle, a rich merchant, who was at that very moment confined in chains-a madman! I HAD made up my mind to live and die poor. | heralds of that awful destroyer-the consumpThere were nostrums, indeed, on which I might tion? I resolved that never should patient be have ridden into notice, and I knew that with aloes, colocynth, and calomel, I could make pills by the barrel, and promise that they would cure all the diseases that ever afflicted humanity, and I could roll up a fortune by lying daily about plasters and lozenges; but from my soul I abominated all empiricism, and resolved that I would be honourable in my profession, or I would starve. My third patient had not yet called for me. Full of manly resolutions to do right and honourably, I could not conceal from myself a feeling of jealousy when I saw carriages loaded with people go past my office and call "Dr. Bradis, the celebrated Indian doctor." I knew the charlatan could hardly read or write, knew nothing about the human system, and next to nothing about diseases. Yet with his impudence and cool boasting, he had no lack of patients. How people love to be imposed upon! At length, when my hopes began to sink, on returning home one evening from my solitary office,-for home, I called my boarding-place,-I found a short note, written in a neat, delicate, and I thought, trembling hand, intimating that "Miss Lucy Braisley desired to consult Dr. Asher professionally and confidentially, this evening or to-morrow morning, as will best suit his convenience." It was too late to go that night, especially as having seen Miss Braisley walking out just at sunset, I knew she could not be very sick herself. How I lay that night, half sleeping and half waking, and forming all manner of conjectures as to the nature of the consultation desired! But who was Lucy Braisley? This I did not know, except that she was a beautiful stranger to whom I had been introduced, who had come to spend a few months in our village with a distant relative. She was dressed in deep mourning, was an orphan, understood to be poor, though once in great affluence, and beautiful she certainly was, as every beholder testified. By some means or other, I had got into the good graces of her relative, and suspected that it was to her influence that I was indebted for my call. Had the young stranger the first "slight cough," and the first "hectic flush," which are such sure "We have consulted many distinguished physicians, sir, but they give us no hope of his recovery. He is so violent that he has to be chained day and night, and is especially outrageous when I come into his presence. My aunt, his wife, received a terrible shock on hearing my uncle return from Europe, where he went on business, raving in madness, and she is now on a bed of sickness. She had heard of you through the praises of a backwoodsman, whose wife he says you cured of a fit of ravin' distraction in less than no time!' Is that so? I was commissioned by my aunt to come to this village, and if your character stood as she hoped it would, to see if we could |