ds--'_I will not then resist you!_' I staggered back,
horror-stricken; the shadow of remorse for the first time darkened my
soul; I would have wrested the dagger from her lifeless hand, and
plunged it into my own heart, but in the agonies of death she had
clutched it too firmly to admit of my easily tearing it from her
grasp. I turned from the bed, and again placed the candle upon the
table; I sat down by it, with the cold perspiration starting from
every pore. Ha! what is this? a letter, and addressed to me? I had not
observed it before. Eagerly I tore it open, and instantly recognized
the elegant handwriting of her ladyship--not a blot, not a misformed
letter marred the beautiful chirography of the missive; it was written
with the same grace and precision that had in former days
characterized her ladyship's notes of invitation to her splendid
parties. As near as I can remember, it read as follows:--

"'Death is preferable to the dishonor of your vile embraces. Were you
a man of birth, gladly would I accept the protection of your arms; but
Lady Adelaide Hawley can never become the mistress of a menial. I
welcome death, as it will preserve me from staining the purity of my
noble blood by cohabitation with such as _thou_ art. May heaven pity
and forgive me!'

"After I had read this characteristic note, I reflected deeply upon
the tragic event--her suicide. Innocent as I was of her death, might I
not be arrested as her murderer?[B] Circumstances were strong against
me; how could I prove my innocence? Many men have been hung on
circumstantial evidence less strong. Though I had escaped detection on
a murder which I had actually committed, I now feared that I should
suffer for a deed of which I was not guilty. The gallows arose before
my excited fancy, in all its terrors; my throat seemed encircled by
the fatal rope.--I determined to fly the country; instantly acting
upon this impulse, I left the chamber, and hastily collected together
all my money (which was considerable) and valuables. Then I left the
house, and seeking a safe asylum in an obscure party of the city,
remained there until an opportunity was afforded me to take ship to
America. I arrived here--soon spent all my money--was hauled up for a
murder--was convicted of manslaughter only, and did the State service
for a period of ten years in the stone institution at Charlestown;
served out my t