d been
partially exhibited and vaguely seen. What extenuations or omissions had
vitiated his former or recent narrative; how far his actual performances
were congenial with the deed which was now to be perpetrated, I knew
not.

These thoughts lent new rapidity to my blood. I raised my head from the
pillow, and watched the deportment of this man with deeper attention.
The paroxysm which controlled him at length, in some degree, subsided.
He muttered, "Yes. It must come. My last humiliation must cover me. My
last confession must be made. To die, and leave behind me this train of
enormous perils, must not be.

"O Clemenza! O Mervyn! Ye have not merited that I should leave you a
legacy of persecution and death. Your safety must be purchased at what
price my malignant destiny will set upon it. The cord of the
executioner, the note of everlasting infamy, is better than to leave you
beset by the consequences of my guilt. It must not be."

Saying this, Welbeck cast fearful glances at the windows and door. He
examined every avenue and listened. Thrice he repeated this scrutiny.
Having, as it seemed, ascertained that no one lurked within audience, he
approached the bed. He put his mouth close to my face. He attempted to
speak, but once more examined the apartment with suspicious glances.

He drew closer, and at length, in a tone scarcely articulate, and
suffocated with emotion, he spoke:--"Excellent but fatally-obstinate
youth! Know at least the cause of my importunity. Know at least the
depth of my infatuation and the enormity of my guilt.

"The bills--surrender them to me, and save yourself from persecution and
disgrace. Save the woman whom you wish to benefit, from the blackest
imputations; from hazard to her life and her fame; from languishing in
dungeons; from expiring on the gallows!

"The bills--oh, save me from the bitterness of death! Let the evils to
which my miserable life has given birth terminate here and in myself.
Surrender them to me, for----"

There he stopped. His utterence was choked by terror. Rapid glances were
again darted at the windows and door. The silence was uninterrupted,
except by far-off sounds, produced by some moving carriage. Once more he
summoned resolution, and spoke:--

"Surrender them to me--for--_they are forged_!

"Formerly I told you, that a scheme of forgery had been conceived. Shame
would not suffer me to add, that my scheme was carried into execution.
The bills were fashioned,