to me by
Sir Walter Murphy, who overtook me on my way to Normandy a short
distance from Paris, I travelled as speedily as possible to the
Chateau des Aubiers. I know not why, but the countenances of the
persons who received me appeared to me sinister. I did not see
amongst them any one of the old servitors of our house; no one
knew me. I was obliged to tell them my name.

"I learned that for several days my father had been suffering
greatly, and that my stepmother had just brought a physician
from Paris. I had no doubt but this was Doctor Polidori.
Desirous of being immediately conducted to my father, I inquired
for an old _valet de chambre_ to whom he was much attached; he
had quitted the chateau some time previously. This I learned
from a house-steward who had shown me to my apartment, saying
that he would inform my stepmother of my arrival. Was it
illusion or suspicion? It seemed to me that my coming annoyed
the people at the chateau where all was gloomy and sinister. In
the bent of mind in which I was we seek to draw inferences from
the slightest circumstances. I remarked in every part traces of
disorder and neglect, as if it had been too much trouble to take
care of a house which was so soon to be abandoned. My
uneasiness--my anxiety increased at every moment.

"After having established my daughter and her governess in an
apartment, I was about to proceed to my father, when my
stepmother entered the apartment. In spite of her artfulness,
in spite of the control which she ordinarily exercised over
herself, she appeared alarmed at my sudden arrival. 'M.
d'Orbigny does not expect your visit, madame,' she said to me,
'and he is suffering so much that a surprise may be fatal. I
think it, therefore, best that he should not be told of your
arrival, for he would be unable to account for it, and--'

"I did not allow her to finish. 'A terrible event has occurred,
madame,' I said, 'M. d'Harville is dead, in consequence of a
fatal imprudence. After so deplorable a result, I could no
longer remain in Paris in my own house, and I have, therefore,
come to my father's, in order to pass the first days of my
mourning.'

"'A widow! Ah, that, indeed, is unexpected happiness!' exclaimed
my stepmother, in a rage. From what you know, monseigneur, of
the unhappy marriage which this woman had planned in order to
av