lf? The
distance was but short, he knew, between here and eternity. But one
step, and all would be over: the wretchedness and misery of his life,
his torturing suspicions, the great mistake of the past, all swept away
in an instant; but then afterwards?

He paused, shuddering, as standing upon the brink, he peered forward
into that deep, dark, mysterious, impenetrable gulf of the unknown,
shrinking from it, too, for his was not the bold, reckless, daring
spirit for such a step. He knew it, too, and again began to find
sympathy for himself, condoling and pitying, and telling himself that no
man had ever before experienced such suffering as had fallen to his lot.
No, he ought not to die: the world at his age ought to be still bright
and fair, and ready to offer some goal for his aimless life. He ought
not to die, but--

The horrible thought that flashed across his brain made him get up and
pace the room hastily, the cold, dank beads of fear gathering themselves
upon his brow. He tried to chase out the thought; but he had brooded so
long, had given way to such wild phantasms, that it seemed now as if
some potent devil were at his ear, whispering temptation, and driving
him to the committal of some horrible deed. So strong grew the feeling
to his distempered imagination that he commenced muttering half aloud,
as if in answer to dictation from an evil prompter.

No, he would not be the first jealous husband who had taken revenge for
his wrongs; he had loved her, and been all that it was his duty to be;
but he had been betrayed, tricked, and cheated by the false-hearted
woman whom he thought he had won. Such a proceeding would be but an act
of justice; but the law said such acts should be done by the law alone--
that man, however injured, should not arrogate to himself the right to
punish, hence it must be done secretly, by some cunning device that
should blind men's eyes to the truth, and while amply bringing down
retribution on the heads of the guilty, his honour should be unstained,
the family shield untarnished.

But would not such a step be cold, blackhearted, premeditated murder?
The question seemed to flash across his brain as if prompted by some
better angel.

No: only justice, was whispered again to his ear--only justice, and then
he would be at rest. It was not right that he should die, but the
destroyer of his happiness; and then his mind would be at ease--there
would be peace for him for many years t