ghts and buildings, and the diminution of the
noises, acquainted me that I had passed the town. It was impossible
longer to hesitate. The shore was to be regained by one way only, which
was swimming. To any exploit of this kind, my strength and my skill were
adequate. I threw away my loose gown; put the pocket-book of the
unfortunate Watson in my mouth, to preserve it from being injured by
moisture; and committed myself to the stream.

I landed in a spot incommoded with mud and reeds. I sunk knee-deep into
the former, and was exhausted by the fatigue of extricating myself. At
length I recovered firm ground, and threw myself on the turf to repair
my wasted strength, and to reflect on the measures which my future
welfare enjoined me to pursue.

What condition was ever parallel to mine? The transactions of the last
three days resembled the monstrous creations of delirium. They were
painted with vivid hues on my memory; but so rapid and incongruous were
these transitions, that I almost denied belief to their reality. They
exercised a bewildering and stupefying influence on my mind, from which
the meditations of an hour were scarcely sufficient to relieve me.
Gradually I recovered the power of arranging my ideas and forming
conclusions.

Welbeck was dead. His property was swallowed up, and his creditors left
to wonder at his disappearance. All that was left was the furniture of
his house, to which Mrs. Wentworth would lay claim, in discharge of the
unpaid rent. What now was the destiny that awaited the lost and
friendless Mademoiselle Lodi? Where was she concealed? Welbeck had
dropped no intimation by which I might be led to suspect the place of
her abode. If my power, in other respects, could have contributed aught
to her relief, my ignorance of her asylum had utterly disabled me.

But what of the murdered person? He had suddenly vanished from the face
of the earth. His fate and the place of his interment would probably be
suspected and ascertained. Was I sure to escape from the consequences of
this deed? Watson had relatives and friends. What influence on their
state and happiness his untimely and mysterious fate would possess, it
was obvious to inquire. This idea led me to the recollection of his
pocket-book. Some papers might be there explanatory of his situation.

I resumed my feet. I knew not where to direct my steps. I was dropping
with wet, and shivering with the cold. I was destitute of habitation and
friend. I