that
the Frenchman had absconded, carrying off plate and jewelry to a
considerable amount. Lord Hawley was extremely shocked and grieved on
receiving this (false) intelligence; and I heard him mutter, as he
retired in great perturbation of mind to his study,--'What, can it be
possible?--Lagrange, whom I esteemed to be the most honest and
faithful fellow in the world--of whose fidelity I have had so many
evidences,--whom I have often benefitted,--can it be that _he_ has
deserted and robbed me? Then indeed do I believe all mankind to be
false as hell!'

"A week passed, and nothing occurred in Hawley House worthy of
mention. At the expiration of that time, his lordship went on a short
journey, (connected with some political object,) which would occasion
him a fortnight's absence from home. Then was her ladyship and the
captain in clover! and then was afforded me an opportunity to set
before them the wine which I had enriched by my famous _addition_!

"Not deeming it necessary to adopt the usual precautions, my lady
feasted, toyed and dallied with her handsome lover in her own private
apartments, fearing no detection, as she was certain that her husband
would not return before the specified time, and as I was the only
person aware of the captain's presence in the house; she feared not,
thinking that I dared not betray her, as she imagined that I was
completely in her power on account of the murder I had committed.
Pretty fool! she little thought of the plan I had formed for her
destruction, and that of her haughty and hated paramour.

"I waited on them at table in my humblest and most respectful manner;
and I could perceive that they inwardly congratulated themselves on
having, as they thought, completely subdued me, and bribed me to
eternal silence with regard to their amours.

"At their very first banquet, (for the splendor of their repasts
merited that high-sounding title,) I was requested to bring from the
cellar a decanter of their _favorite_ wine. You may be sure I did not
mistake the cask, comrades. I drew from the cask which contained the
corpse of Lagrange, a quantity of the wine, and holding it to the
light, observed with intense satisfaction that it had assumed a darker
tinge--it looked just like blood. For a moment I was tempted to
_taste_ it; but damn me! bad and blood-thirsty as I was, I could not
do _that_. The corpse had been soaki