ng a member, and they shall suffer the penalty, _death_. I
will then be free from fear. Capital! Everything is working to suit my
purposes!"

Exulting wretch! would to heaven the vengeance of an angry God could
overtake you, ere your schemes of fiendish crimes and dark murders are
completed. But, alas for the innocent, crime is yet in the ascendant!

* * * * *

In a pleasant grove, a part of the old forest yet standing near to the
dwelling of the Mandevilles, sat Eveline, beneath the shade of a friendly
tree, in a spot rendered sacred to her by endearing associations and holy
memories, musing on the past with heart cheering pleasure, on the present
with sadness, and the future with hope. So absorbed had she become in her
own meditations, time fled unheeded, and the world was forgotten--forgotten
all, save only two beings, the loved and absent Charles--with whose
well-being or misfortunes her own fate was strangely blended--and herself;
but of herself in the single light in which the mysterious ties of love
united her to him.

How long she had thus remained absorbed in her own reflections she knew
not, when her attention was drawn from her own thoughts to outward things
by the approach of a very neatly dressed gentleman, who, addressing her in
the most respectful manner, inquired:

"Does Mr. Mandeville live in this vicinity?"

"Yes, sir," she replied, at the same time rising to her feet. "That is his
residence yonder, which you can just distinguish through the surrounding
trees."

"A beautiful place!--May I be so bold as to inquire if you know whether I
will find him at home to-day?"

"No, sir, he is not at home."

"Perhaps I might still presume on your kindness, and inquire if he has not
a daughter that is or has been afflicted, and if she is already
convalescent, or is likely so to be soon."

"His daughter has been very sick, but has recovered."

"Would she--? But perhaps you do not know her history? Has she any friend
now absent, from whom she would be pleased to hear, do you know?"

"What is the object of the question, sir?"

"I hope you will excuse me, if I should presume too far; but I am the
bearer of a message from one who esteems her above all the world beside,
and--"

"How! do you know Charles Hadley?" she inquired, with deepened interest.

"Ah, I perceive you are not unacquainted with the history of the young
lady. Perhaps I am addressing Miss Mandeville in pers