s infernal Comtesse d'Orbigny had her share of the overwhelming
shame, thanks to what you told me as to her visit to the charlatan
Bradamanti--Polidori--in the house in the Rue du Temple; for, after all,
it was you who acted in this, I assure you, and you came in most happily
and opportunely to the rescue on this occasion."

Rodolph smiled, and continued reading Madame d'Harville's letter:

"At the sight of Sir Walter Murphy, Polidori was panic-struck;
my stepmother went on from one surprise to another; my father,
agitated at this scene, weakened by his malady, was compelled to
sit down in an armchair. Sir Walter double-locked the door by
which he had entered; and placing himself before that which led
to the next apartment, that Doctor Polidori might not escape, he
said to my poor father, with a tone of the utmost respect, 'A
thousand pardons, Monsieur le Comte, for the liberty I take, but
an imperious necessity, dictated by your interest alone (and
which you will speedily recognise), compels me to act thus. My
name is Sir Walter Murphy, as this wretch can testify, who at
the sight of me trembles in every limb. I am the private adviser
of his royal highness Monseigneur the Grand Duke Regnant of
Gerolstein.'

"'Quite true!' stammered forth Doctor Polidori, overcome with
fright. 'But then, sir, what have you come here for? What seek
you?'

"'Sir Walter Murphy,' I observed, addressing my father, 'is here
with me to unmask the wretches whose victim you have so nearly
been.' Then handing the phial to Sir Walter, I added, 'I was
suddenly tempted to seize on this phial at the moment when
Doctor Polidori was about to pour some drops of the liquor it
contains into a draught he was about to offer to my father.'

"'A practitioner in the neighbouring village shall analyse
before you the contents of this bottle, which I will deposit in
your hands, M. le Comte; and if it is proved to contain a slow
and sure poison,' said Sir Walter Murphy to my father, 'you
cannot have any further doubt as to the dangers you have run,
and which the tender care of your daughter will most happily
have averted.'

"My poor father looked by turns at his wife, Doctor Polidori,
and Sir Walter, with an air of doubt and anxiety; his features
betrayed indescribable anguish. No doubt but he resisted with
all his might increasing and terrible suspicions,