my lord (said she), what have you dis

covered?'

"This is too much (exclaimed I), shameless, audacious woman! darest thou hope still to blind me? but I will instantly cover thee with confusion.'

"I flew to her cabinet, it was locked, and I demanded the key; she gave it to me with the utmost composure!

"I soon found what I sought for; I drew the portrait from its case, it was a strong resemblance of Clerimont; I held it before her, she shrieked and fainted.

"It was well for us both, that she did, since I cannot answer to what extremes my passion might have transported me; but her insensibility disarmed my rage, in some degree, and I hastily left the apartment.

"The marchioness's scream had brought up her woman, whom I met as I was rushing down stairs; I ordered Leonora, when her lady recovered, to

let me know, and in about half an hour she came to me.

"The marchioness has now recovered her senses; my lord, (said he), but she is so extremely ill, that she begs you will not ask to see her.'

"Though I longed to upbraid her with her guilt, yet, I resolved to wait till she was in a condition to hear me, but the whole of that day she continued according to Leonora's account very ill, and the next morning she was delirious; though I had persuaded myself that I abhorred her, yet the shock that this intelligence gave me, proved that she had still too much power over my heart; I would fain have persuaded myself that she counterfeited, but the physicians, whose testimony I could not doubt, assured me that her life. was in imminent danger.

"Never had I passed such a day of misery, at one moment, I reproached myself for what I had done; I ought

to have proceeded with more caution, (cried I), frail as she had been, I knew her sensibility, and if she dies I- I am her murderer.' These reflections, were

almost immediately succeeded by others of a different nature.

"She deserves her fate (said I), and I am but an instrument in the hands of Heaven to punish her perfidy.'

"In these, and similar thoughts I spent the day. The night was perfectly still and serene, not a cloud obscured the face of the Heavens; and hoping that the air would a little relieve the agitation of my spirits, I walked out, and wandered I knew not whither.

"I continued to stroll for some hours, till at last, overcome by fatigue, I bent I had in my my steps homeward ; pocket the key of a private door in the garden, and through that I resolved to

enter.

"I did so, and was proceeding to the house, when in passing a small temple, I thought I heard the sound of voices;

I paused a moment, and was surprised to find that it was Don Carlos, and Leonora in earnest discourse.

"I felt indignant, that he should think of continuing his intrigue with this girl, when the following words rivetted me to the spot where I stood.

"Let me hear no more of this folly (cried he angrily), our plan has most happily succeeded, and would you now mar all? beware Leonora, how you dare betray me; by Heaven! the moment that discovers to De Santenos the innocence of his wife shall be your last."

"You know that I dare not, that I will not disobey you (said Leonora in a supplicating accent), but could you only hear the incoherent ravings of the unhappy marchioness, could you see the state to which we have reduced her, even your heart would be touched with pity.'

"I stopped to hear no more. I burst

into the temple, and would instantly have sacrificed the traitor Carlos to my vengeance, but he fled. I pursued, but could not overtake him, and I hastily returned to the temple, almost despairing to find Leonora, as I supposed that she too had escaped; but I was mistaken, she had fainted, and still continued insensible.

"I locked the door, and flew to the house for assistance; when I returned

with some of my domestics we found her recovering, she threw herself at my feet, and burst into tears.

"Oh my lord (cried she), have mercy upon me, I am indeed a guilty wretch, but spare my life, and I will confess every thing!

"I promised her a pardon, and she proceeded to disclose to me a scene of iniquity that struck me at once with horror and indignation. To be brief, from the time that the marchioness had repulsed Carlos, his whole thoughts were bent upon revenge; by his artful wiles