my home; my daughter's ears shall never be polluted with the recital of his crimes." "My dear Earl," cried Edwin, "recollect how soon he will meet the doom he merits: he was long in your confidence-he knows all your secrets-will you allow him to die with a sin in his breast, which he would now confess to you, if you visited him? He may have something to communicate which may be of the greatest moment." "He can have nothing of importance to acquaint me with now," answered Dungarvon; "still, I will not refuse to go to him. He shall not say that I denied him his last request, if such it be; but Horatia shall not accompany me-I am determined upon that point." Edwin gave his young lady an appealing look, which showed how much he considered her presence necessary. "My dear father," said Horatia, understanding his glance, "pray let me accompany you. It can do me no harm, and, by complying with Edwin's request, we may succeed in performing a service. Let me go, you will be with me." 66 Well, my Horatia, lead me as you please," exclaimed Dungarvon, while Edwin thanked her with his eyes. "Is the carriage ready?" "There is one in waiting for you," cried Edwin. Dungarvon took the hand of Horatia, who had been hastily equipped in a bonnet and cloak, and led her to the carriage. Edwin mounted the box, directing the postilions to drive as fast as they could, and to avoid the high road, which was at least a mile about, as he would insure the fit state of the cross lanes to admit of their rapid course through them. The eagerness of the youth was extraordinary he commanded the men to urge the horses to the very top of their speed, and threatened them with chastisement if they flagged for a minute. "He will be speechless, or perhaps dead," he cried; "and, if the Earl does not arrive in time to see Joyce, why then I shall reproach myself for the delay." : Dungarvon had come solely to oblige him; and he had promised, moreover, to see him righted in the eyes of the world. Our readers will not marvel at the impatience of Edwin to have it proved beyond a doubt that he was not the son of a murderer, of a man whose whole life had been a tissue of crime and deceit. Joyce had treated him, in his kindest moments, with more of the despotic tyranny of a master, than the love and tenderness of a father; and the night on which he had endeavoured to stain the soul of a boy, young in years, with the horrid crime of murder,-the hour which he spent in giving way to the expression of his hatred towards a man who had never injured him, severed the link which bound Edwin to his interests, for ever. He had from his infancy spared no pains to render the child as guilty as himself; and, considering his quickness of apprehension, he often felt disappointed that he was so slow in giving some decided proofs of his proficiency in villany. But the eyes of Edwin were opened on the verge of the precipice, and he learnt to detest the monster who would have lured him on to perdition, ere he could know right from wrong. Leaving him awhile to escort Dungarvon and his daughter to a prison, we will pay a visit to the families of Gunnersdown and De Winton Park. CHAPTER X. “O! how this spring of love resembleth It was with the greatest impatience that Henrietta De Winton and her mother submitted to the Duke's command that the wedding should be postponed. They were astonished and indignant at his absurdity in delaying his son's marriage because Lady Dungarvon happened to be ill; and they suffered such looks and words to escape them as filled the Duke of Gaston with dismay. He began to deplore the infatuation which had induced Ernest to prefer a woman whose temper could not sustain close |