d like me, find out that
repentance comes too late. I will, however, tell the plain truth, and
your diabolical policy, will, doubtless, suggest the use which may be
made of such an important secret.'

"There was a long pause, after which some sentences passed between
them, in such a low voice, that I could not distinctly hear them; at
last I heard my mother say,

"'You never saw these children, or you would not wonder that my heart
so clave to that fair babe. You thought that I accepted Robert
Moncton's bribe, and put the other child out of the way.'

"'And did you not?' cried the eager old woman, breathless with
curiosity.

"'I took the bribe. But the child died a natural death, and I was saved
the commission of a frightful crime, which you and your master were
constantly writing to me, to urge me to commit. Now, listen, mother.'

"What she said was in tones so low, that, though I strained every nerve
to listen, as I should have done, had it been a ghost story, or any
tale of horror, the beating of my own heart frustrated all my
endeavours.

"Rachel's communication appeared to astonish her mother. Her dark,
wrinkled brows contracted until not a particle of the eyes were
visible, and she sat for a long while in deep thought, rocking herself
to and fro on the bed, whilst the dying woman regarded her with
expanded eyes and raised hands, locked tightly together. At last she
spoke.

"'Dinah! make no ill use of my confidence, or there will come a day of
vengeance for both you and me. What shall we gain by being tools in the
hands of a wicked man like Robert Moncton. Why should we sell our souls
for naught, to do his dirty work.'

"'Not to serve him will I do aught to injure the child. No, no. Dinah
North is not such a fool. If I do it to gratify my own revenge, that's
another thing. I have this bad, bold Robert in my power. This secret
will be a fortune in itself--will extort from his mean, avaricious
soul, a portion of his ill-gotten wealth. Ha, my child! you did well
and wisely, and may die in peace, without the stain of blood upon your
soul.'

"Rachel shook her head despondingly.

"'There is no peace, saith my God, for the wicked. My soul consented to
the crime, and whilst the thought was uppermost in my heart, the bolt
of the Almighty smote me, and my resolution wavered; but, the guilt, at
this moment, appears to me the same. It is a dreadful thing to die
without hope. Where is Alice?'

"'Sleeping. Shall