preserve our secret from the knowledge of
the world: when we meet in company, let it be with the cold formality
which exists between persons who are almost strangers; but now let us
revel in the joys of love.'

The superb but profligate Josephine needed no urgent persuasion to
induce her to become a guilty participator in a criminal _liaison_ with
the handsome young rector whom she had so long regarded with the eyes of
desire;--_hers_ was the conquest, that unprincipled lady of fashion; and
_he_ was the victim, that recreant fallen minister of the gospel.

Humbled and conscience-stricken, Dr. Sinclair left Livingston House and
returned to his own luxurious but solitary home; while Josephine was
driven in her carriage to Franklin House, the flush of triumph on her
cheeks and her proud, guilty heart reeling with exultation.

CHAPTER XI

_The Condemnation to Death--the Burglar's Confession and Awful Fate in
the Iron Coffin._

The arrest of Frank Sydney for the murder of Maria Archer created an
immense excitement throughout the whole community.--His wealth, standing
in society, and former respectability caused many to believe him
innocent of the dreadful crime imputed to him; but public opinion
generally pronounced him guilty. The following article, extracted from a
newspaper published at that period, will throw some light upon the views
held in reference to the unhappy young man, and show how the
circumstances under which he was arrested operated prejudicially to
him:--

'ATROCIOUS MURDER. Last night, about nine o'clock, cries of
murder were heard proceeding from the house No.--Bowery. The
door was forced open by several citizens and watchmen, who,
on entering a room on the second story, found the body of a
young woman named Maria Archer stretched upon a sofa, her
throat cut in a horrible manner, and standing over the corpse
a young gentleman named Francis Sydney, holding in his hand a
large Bowie knife, covered with blood. The landlady, Mrs.
Flint, stated that Maria had that afternoon announced her
intention to remove from the house in the evening; at about
eight o'clock, Mr. Sydney called, _disguised_, and went up
into the room of the deceased;--after a while, she (the
landlady), being surprised that Maria did not begin to remove,
went up to her room, and on opening the door, saw the young
woman lying upon the sofa, her throat cut