f which we
are not at liberty to speak at present, are reported to have led to
the difficulty between the noble gentlemen. At the first fire Captain
St. Clair fell, and upon examination it was found that he had been
shot through the heart. He died instantly. His lordship was uninjured,
and immediately departed for the Continent unaccompanied by her
ladyship.'

"I danced with delight when I read this paragraph. 'My vengeance is
already half accomplished,' thought I. But what had become of Lady
Hawley? The newspapers, from day to day and from week to week, were
silent with respect to her fate. At length I began to fear that her
ladyship, after all, was destined to escape uninjured by my endeavors
to effect her ruin. Was I right? You shall see.

"Nearly two years passed away, during which time, with the aid of my
five hundred pounds, I had set up a first-rate public house in a
populous and respectable neighborhood, and was making money. I have
little doubt but that the sign of '_The Red Cask_' is still remembered
in that vicinity--for that was the name which, actuated by a strange
whim, I had given to my tavern; and the same was illustrated by a huge
swinging sign in front, on which was painted the representation of a
large cask overflowing with blood--which, I need scarcely tell you,
was a sly and humorous allusion to the affair of Lagrange's
murder.--Well, one cold, stormy winter's night, when the wind was
howling like ten thousand devils around the house, I was seated in my
comfortable tap-room, making myself extremely happy over a reeking
jarum of hot rum punch. I was alone, for the hour was late, and all my
guests had departed; when suddenly, during a pause in the clatter of
the elements, I heard a low, timid knock at my outer door, which faced
on the street.--Supposing it to be either some thirsty policeman, or a
belated traveller anxious to escape from the fury of the storm, I
arose and unbarred the door; as I opened it, a fierce gust of wind
rushed in, so piercing cold, that it seemed to chill me to the very
marrow of my bones; and at the same moment I beheld a human form
crouching down under the narrow archway over the door, as if vainly
endeavoring to shield herself from the fury of the tempest. I knew it
was a woman, for I caught a glimpse at an old bonnet and tattered
shawl. She shivered with the cold, which even made my teeth chatter,