hy treachery?" inquired Holden, who
seemed determined to probe the wound to the bottom.

"Alas! restore to me the morning of life; place me in the same
circumstances, and I should fall again. I should be irresistibly
attracted by a heart that seemed made for mine."

"In _her_ arms thou didst forget the brother, whom thy cruelty had
doomed to the maniac's cell and chain?" said Holden.

"Never! his image is graven on my heart. I have never ceased to think
of him."

"Thou wouldst know him should he stand before thee?"

"Know him! aye, amidst ten thousand. No years could make such changes
as to hide him from me. But he is in his grave, while his murderer
lives."

"Thou didst find compensation for lamentation over the dead, in the
caresses of the living?"

"True, too true. While Frances lived, she was my heaven. It was
necessary that this idol should be torn from me. My son, too. Oh,
James, my son! my son!"

Holden, during the conversation, had been unable to keep his seat, but
with the restlessness of his nature had been walking across the room,
stopping occasionally before Armstrong. The last expression of feeling
evidently affected him. The rapidity of his steps diminished; his
motions became less abrupt; and presently he laid his hand upon the
shoulder of Mr. Armstrong.

"Thy tale," he said, "is one of sorrow and suffering. Thou didst
violate thy duty, and art punished. No wrong shall escape the avenger.
As it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'
But it is also written, 'He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.' Thou art after
all but an instrument in the hand of One mighty to do. Even out of
crime He works out the purposes of his will. Thou knowest not from
what sin and sorrow an early death may be the refuge. Commit thyself
to the hands of the Lord, nor grieve as one without hope. Thy brother
liveth, and thou shalt yet behold him."

"I know he lives, and at the Judgment shall I behold him," said
Armstrong, shuddering, "to upbraid me with his murder."

"Not to upbraid, but to forgive, and to imprint upon thy brow the seal
of reconciliation, as I now, by this token, vow to thee an everlasting
love." So saying, Holden bent down, and his lips touched the forehead
of Armstrong.

We do not know that we ought to be surprised at anything in the
conduct of this extraordinary man. The principles by which he
regulated himself, if h