cope so full of frightful
scenes--I do not wish to go on with it."

"Please do not stop," said the Captain; "I feel that you have the power
to tell me all, and I must know it. I will pay you anything you ask," he
added, taking out a roll of money.

"My fees are invariable," said Lucille, drawing herself up haughtily.
"You insult me by suggesting that I need to be paid extra to tell the
truth."

"I beg your pardon," replied the Captain excitedly; "but I hope you will
not refuse to tell me all you know. I can bear it, I assure you."

"Know then that your sister is deeply in love with a very bad man, who
lives two or three hundred miles from here. She became acquainted with
him in the East and he seduced her, though he was a married man, living
with his lawful wife. To quiet your sister's scruples, he had a marriage
ceremony performed; but, of course, it had no legal value, since both of
the parties were already married. She became _enceinte_ by this man, and
she caused the premature removal of the evidence of her shame by an
abortion. This crime you connived at, though you did not advise it. But
the worst is not yet told: this wicked man, finding that you were
determined to prevent him from seeing your sister, _resolved to murder
his wife_, and to marry your sister legally, supposing that her husband
was dead. He accomplished part of his design by poisoning his wife; but
he has not yet been able to carry out the whole of his plan. He is now
in danger, but he knows it not. He will soon be arrested and tried for
murder. If you can succeed in uniting your sister and her lawful
husband, they may be able to forget the past and live together happily.
All, however, depends upon her. At present she is in deep distress, but
the effect of it will be good for her. There is a strong hope that she
may be led to see the character of her wicked lover in its true light,
and that she may return penitently to the arms of her husband, if he
will receive her."

"Oh! he will, I know he will," said the Captain.

"Then, when that happens, your troubles will be at an end. Now I can
tell you but little more, as I have a great task to perform, and I must
be left alone."

On hearing Lucille say this, I immediately gave the signal, as agreed,
and she made an excuse to leave the room for a moment.

"What more do you want?" she asked.

"You have forgotten to tell him about his old sweetheart, Mrs. Agnew."

"Oh! let me skip that," said Luci