as the last sparks from the blackened paper, and disappear as the
smoke from those silent ashes."

"Yes, yes," said Albert, "and may there remain only the eternal
friendship which I promised to my deliverer, which shall be transmitted
to our children's children, and shall always remind me that I owe my
life and the honor of my name to you,--for had this been known, oh,
Beauchamp, I should have destroyed myself; or,--no, my poor mother! I
could not have killed her by the same blow,--I should have fled from my
country."

"Dear Albert," said Beauchamp. But this sudden and factitious joy soon
forsook the young man, and was succeeded by a still greater grief.

"Well," said Beauchamp, "what still oppresses you, my friend?"

"I am broken-hearted," said Albert. "Listen, Beauchamp! I cannot thus,
in a moment relinquish the respect, the confidence, and pride with which
a father's untarnished name inspires a son. Oh, Beauchamp, Beauchamp,
how shall I now approach mine? Shall I draw back my forehead from his
embrace, or withhold my hand from his? I am the most wretched of men.
Ah, my mother, my poor mother!" said Albert, gazing through his tears at
his mother's portrait; "if you know this, how much must you suffer!"

"Come," said Beauchamp, taking both his hands, "take courage, my
friend."

"But how came that first note to be inserted in your journal? Some
unknown enemy--an invisible foe--has done this."

"The more must you fortify yourself, Albert. Let no trace of emotion be
visible on your countenance, bear your grief as the cloud bears within
it ruin and death--a fatal secret, known only when the storm bursts.
Go, my friend, reserve your strength for the moment when the crash shall
come."

"You think, then, all is not over yet?" said Albert, horror-stricken.

"I think nothing, my friend; but all things are possible. By the way"--

"What?" said Albert, seeing that Beauchamp hesitated.

"Are you going to marry Mademoiselle Danglars?"

"Why do you ask me now?"

"Because the rupture or fulfilment of this engagement is connected with
the person of whom we were speaking."

"How?" said Albert, whose brow reddened; "you think M. Danglars"--

"I ask you only how your engagement stands? Pray put no construction
on my words I do not mean they should convey, and give them no undue
weight."

"No." said Albert, "the engagement is broken off."

"Well," said Beauchamp. Then, seeing the young man was about to relapse
into me