me, will doubtless be laid before the Pope. If you see as you ought your danger and mine, Grimaldi, you will not hesitate. In the dead of night, a single blow will release us from all fears. Take this,' said he, drawing a dagger from the folds of his vest, and do away the cause of our disquietude.'

Hardly conscious of what I did, I grasped the fatal instrument. My blood chilled with the sensations that pervaded my frame, while the Marchese continued:

I repeat again, father, the necessity of this step. Our danger is great,

and great must be the effort to preserve

ourselves.'

me

By such conversation did he gain over to his horrid purposes. I thought I saw the danger he described, and even grew impatient to perpetrate the crime that has embittered my existence.

"The Marchese left me not that day; he would not allow me an opportunity to ponder on the deed I was goingto perform; he parted not from me till the midnight hour had tolled.

Surely if I had but for a moment reflected I never could have committed

the

the dreadful act; and this, in all pro

bability, the Marchese

aware of.

was fully

Grasping the dagger in my hand, I hasted to the Angle Tower. My hap-. less victim started at the sight of me; the rays of the lamp gleamed on the dagger; she shrieked with the dreadful apprehensions that arose in her mind.

"That shriek was her last!

"When I saw the blood-stained form of the Marchesa lying on the floor, bereft of animation, what sensations of horror arose in my bosom. Alas! F 6

the

the deed was perpetrated.

Hastily I

left the chamber; I fled along the dreary corridores, thinking I was pursued by avenging furies, urged urged on by the blood-stained spectre of Theodora.

"Once I ventured as I crossed the hall to turn round, when slow pacing amongst the columns appeared her form; the garments were dyed in blood, in her hand she bore a pale burning lamp which illumined her features, that were marked with the agonies of death; struck with horror, I rushed into the apartment of the Marchese, pale and haggard with the dreadful emotions excited by my fears and the deed I had perpetrated.

"Is

"Is it done?' said the Marchese.

"Yes, I replied, and I

and I am

con

demned to be a wretch for ever. Oh! that I could recal the past hour.

"Consider, my friend,' replied the

Marchese, that this step was neces

sary to our peace; nay more, to our safety. Now we are secure. The

dead tell no tales.'

"No? Marchese; think you not the soul of Theodora is now supplicating for justice at the throne of retribution against her murderer? and she will. obtain it!

"The