married since his arrival), in search of the philosopher's stone. He
had several times engaged in subordinate capacities, but his impatient
hopes would not brook the distance between him and the goal. He had been
to New Orleans, but the city was almost deserted. On his arrival at
Vicksburg, Jaspar had been pointed out to him as a person who could
probably favor his wishes, and he had obtained an introduction to him.

Jaspar's thoughts and feelings he read. He discovered the nature of the
relations between the uncle and niece,--which required but little
sagacity, under the circumstances. Determined to profit by the knowledge
he had obtained, his first step was to satisfy Jaspar of the death of
Emily, of whom, in reality, he knew nothing. The initial letter of his
wife's name in the ring had suggested the means, and he had convinced
Jaspar as related. How Dalhousie's sense of moral rectitude would allow
him to use the deception, we will not say; but he seemed to tolerate the
idea that the great purpose he had in view would justify any little
peccadilloes he might commit in obtaining it.

He had gained his end, and taken the first step in the great road to
fortune; and he doubted not his future relations with Jaspar would
suggest a second.

The body of the deceased lady was claimed by Dalhousie, in behalf of
Jaspar, and interred in Vicksburg.

In company with the new overseer and his wife, Jaspar returned the next
day to Bellevue.

CHAPTER XVII.

"Say quick! quoth he; I bid thee say,
What manner of man art thou?

"Forthwith, this frame of mine was wrenched
With a woful agony,
Which forced me to begin my tale;
And then it left me free." ANCIENT MARINER.

The morning advanced, and Henry Carroll, under the influence of the
powerful opiate, still slept. By his side sat the misanthropic
physician, who seemed to have learned a lesson of the dealing of the
Creator with the creature such as he had never before acquired. He had
rescued a fellow-creature from sure death, and the act seemed a part of
the great duties of life which he had so long neglected. He reflected
upon the numerous opportunities of doing good to his fellow-men from
which his hermit-life debarred him. Again he thought of his daughter.
Her image rose before him in the darkened chamber of the sick man, and
seemed to reproach him for his want of faithfulness to her. The incident
and reflections of the previous night