a strong one, as the reader may yet have occasion to know.

"Very good,--I will inquire about him."

"And expose us both!" replied Maxwell, in much alarm.

"True,--on reflection, it would not be wise, and it would be best for
you and I not to be seen together. But finish the will; the colonel will
not relish my long absence. A word more: do not say anything about
_this_ will. The colonel has a fancy to keep it secret, and this fancy
will be the salvation of our scheme."

But we will not follow the conversation any further. The reader has
obtained a sufficient knowledge of these worthies from their own mouths,
to believe them capable of any villany they may be called upon to
perpetrate.

The plot was further arranged in all its details. A meeting with De Guy
was fixed for the next day, when all parties were to be prepared to act
their parts.

CHAPTER IV.

"He is a man, setting his fate aside,
Of comely virtues;
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice,
But with a noble fury and a fair spirit
He did oppose his foe."

Shakespeare.

Colonel Dumont's melancholy forebodings proved to be too well grounded,
for in ten days after the departure of Henry Carroll he breathed his
last, not fully ripe in years, but mature in the stature of a good man.
His worldly affairs had all been arranged, and with his mind at peace
with God and man he bade a final adieu to his weeping daughter and
dissembling brother, and calmly resigned his spirit to its Author.

The mansion of Colonel Dumont had been the abode of happiness.
Cheerfulness and contentment--rare visitors at the home of
opulence--dwelt gracefully amid the luxurious splendor of this house.
But now a heavy stroke of affliction had come upon the devoted Emily.
The ruthless hand of death had struck down her father in the midst of
prosperity and happiness. She felt that she was alone in the world. Her
unsympathizing uncle seemed not to feel the loss, but appeared even more
cold and churlish than ever. She could not expect from him the offices
of kindness and sympathy. She was an orphan, but not till she was
prepared to combat with the trials of life. Recognizing the hand of
Providence in this visitation of the Angel of Death, she bowed meekly
and submissively to the Master Will, and was even cheerful and happy in
her tears.

It was about ten o'clock on the night succeeding the funeral of Colonel
Dumont that a small canoe, containing a