my feet. At the same moment the door opened, and several domestics,
alarmed by my cries, entered the apartment.

I do not recollect what followed, for I fainted. One swoon succeeded
another, so long and death-like, that my life was considered very
doubtful.

At about ten o'clock, however, I sunk into a deep and refreshing sleep,
from which I was awakened at about two, that I might swear my deposition
before a magistrate, who attended for that purpose.

I accordingly did so, as did also Lord Glenfallen, and the woman was
fully committed to stand her trial at the ensuing assizes.

I shall never forget the scene which the examination of the blind woman
and of the other parties afforded.

She was brought into the room in the custody of two servants. She wore
a kind of flannel wrapper which had not been changed since the night
before. It was torn and soiled, and here and there smeared with blood,
which had flowed in large quantities from a wound in her head. The white
handkerchief had fallen off in the scuffle, and her grizzled hair fell
in masses about her wild and deadly pale countenance.

She appeared perfectly composed, however, and the only regret she
expressed throughout, was at not having succeeded in her attempt, the
object of which she did not pretend to conceal.

On being asked her name, she called herself the Countess Glenfallen, and
refused to give any other title.

'The woman's name is Flora Van-Kemp,' said Lord Glenfallen.

'It WAS, it WAS, you perjured traitor and cheat!' screamed the woman;
and then there followed a volley of words in some foreign language.
'Is there a magistrate here?' she resumed; 'I am Lord Glenfallen's
wife--I'll prove it--write down my words. I am willing to be hanged or
burned, so HE meets his deserts. I did try to kill that doll of his; but
it was he who put it into my head to do it--two wives were too many; I
was to murder her, or she was to hang me; listen to all I have to say.'

Here Lord Glenfallen interrupted.

'I think, sir,' said he, addressing the magistrate, 'that we had better
proceed to business; this unhappy woman's furious recriminations but
waste our time. If she refuses to answer your questions, you had better,
I presume, take my depositions.'

'And are you going to swear away my life, you black-perjured murderer?'
shrieked the woman. 'Sir, sir, sir, you must hear me,' she continued,
addressing the magistrate; 'I can convict him--he bid me murder that
girl