that desk--where I received my death-blow!"

While Rodolph hastily penned a few lines, the countess wiped from her
brows the cold damps that had gathered there, while her hitherto calm
and unmovable features were contracted by a sudden spasmodic agony,
which had increased in violence from having been so long concealed. The
letter finished, Rodolph arose and said to the countess:

"I will despatch this letter by one of my aides-de-camp; she will be
here in half an hour from the time my messenger departs. Shall I, upon
my return to you, bring the clergyman and persons chosen to witness our
marriage, that we may at once proceed?"

"You may,--but no, let me beg of you to ring the bell; do not leave me
by myself; let Sir Walter despatch the letter, and then return with the
clergyman."

Rodolph rang; one of Sarah's attendants answered the summons.

"Request my brother to send Sir Walter Murphy here," said the countess,
in a faint voice. The woman went to perform her mistress's bidding.
"This marriage is a melancholy affair, Rodolph," said the countess,
bitterly, "I mean as far as I am concerned; to you it will be productive
of happiness." The prince started at the idea. "Nay, be not astonished
at my prophesying happiness to you from such a union; but I shall not
live to mar your joys."

At this moment Murphy entered.

"My good friend," said the prince, "send this letter off to my daughter.
Colonel ---- will be the bearer of it, and he can bring her back in my
carriage; then desire the minister and all concerned in witnessing the
marriage ceremony to assemble in the adjoining room."

"God of mercy!" cried Sarah, fervently clasping her hands as the squire
disappeared, "grant me strength to fold my child to my heart! Let me not
die ere she arrives!"

"Alas! why were you not always the tender mother you now are?"

"Thanks to you, at least, for awakening in me a sincere repentance for
the past, and a hearty desire to devote myself to the good of those
whose happiness I have so fearfully disturbed! Yes, when my brother told
me, a short time since, of our child's preservation,--let me say our
child, it will not be for long I shall require your indulgence,--I felt
all the agony of knowing myself irrecoverably ill, yet overjoyed to
think that the birth of our child would be legitimised; that done, I
shall die happy!"

"Do not talk thus."

"You will see I shall not deceive you again; my death is certain."

"And you wil