I then
took my pistols, loaded and cocked them--now be bold for one moment, and
spare yourself years of shame and disgrace!--I placed one of the pistols
with the muzzle at my heart, and the other in my mouth. I was about to
pull the trigger when I heard a noise. The partition which divided me
from the next room was shattered, and through the opening thus made, I
saw a man, pale and agitated. This person advanced towards we with a
pocket-book in his hands. 'Stop,' said he, 'here is what you owe--this
pocket-book contains sixty thousand livres.'"

XII.--THE GAMBLER.

The Prince de Maulear continued his story. Aminta timidly looked at her
father-in-law with painful emotion, for she knew how he must suffer in
making such a confession. The Marquis seemed to suffer under increasing
discomfort and terror.

"At the sudden and almost supernatural apparition of this stranger, who
thus rose before me, the weapons fell from my hands, and as I was unable
to speak, I made use of my eyes to question him.

"'I was there,' said the man, pointing to the chamber whence he had
burst so suddenly; 'I have not lost one of the words you have uttered
since your return--I have watched every moment, the long and cruel agony
of your soul. You have revealed yourself to me, your name, your family,
your isolated hopes, and your isolation in this city. I have seen your
despair hourly increase, until, but for me, you would have reached the
climax. Monsieur,' continued he, with a tone full of religion and
sensibility, 'make this day the happiest of my life by enabling me to
save one of my fellows.'

"'One of your fellows, Monsieur? alas I am not such, for if I estimate
you according to your actions, you are a man of honor and heart, while
I....'

"'You,' said he, interrupting me, 'you are like what you think me, a man
of honor and heart. The proof that such is the case is, that, unable to
bear the consequences of a moment of weakness, you were about to die to
avoid the consequences of that error. Monsieur de Maulear,' continued
the stranger, and he took my hand with touching kindness, 'permit me to
restore you to life and happiness, for you have a family perhaps, and
children, and cannot abandon all thus. Listen to me,' said he, as he saw
me refuse the pocket-book he offered me; 'I had a father who was one of
the noblest and best of men. He died many months ago, and my tears tell
you how I regret him. I know that he is in heaven and blesses me