ated in thy favorite apartment. On the
night of my father's funeral, although so very late when all the
subsequent business connected with the reading of the will was
concluded, my mind was so perturbed and restless that I could not sleep;
and quitting the Riverola mansion by a private door, I sought the fresh
air with the hope that it would calm me. Some vague and indescribable
sentiment of curiosity, or else something that I heard on the return of
the mourners, relative to the strange scene enacted in the church, I
know not which, led me to the vicinity of your abode; and there, in your
favorite room, I beheld you seated, listening attentively to some sweet
words, doubtless, which Agnes was breathing into your ear. But she
caught a glimpse of my countenance by the light of the lamps----"

"Enough! enough!" exclaimed Wagner; "thou hast indeed cleared up
innumerable mysteries! But, oh! Nisida--would that thou hadst remained
silent--that thou hadst not drawn aside the veil which my elevated
opinion of thee had thrown over the suspicions that, I admit, from time
to time----"

"And if I have told thee all this, Fernand," interrupted Nisida,
impatiently, "it is that thou may'st be convinced not only of the
natural energy of my mind, but also of the deep love which I bear thee.
And now, now that thou seest me in my true character, a murderess if
thou wilt," she added with an emphasis of bitter scorn, "now canst thou
refuse that sacrifice----"

"Nisida! Nisida! enough crime has been perpetrated by both us, Heaven
knows!" ejaculated Wagner, still writhing with the anguish produced by
the avowal which had so lately met his ears. "Oh! accursed be the day,
blotted from the annals of Time be the hour, Nisida, when thy hand
struck the fatal dagger into the heart of Agnes."

"What! this to my face?" said Nisida, her countenance becoming crimson
with indignation, and not her face only, but her swan-like neck, her
shoulders, and her bosom. "Then she _was_ thy mistress, Fernand! And
thou didst love her, while I fancied, false one that thou art, thine
affections to be wholly and solely mine."

"Nisida," exclaimed Fernand, cruelly bewildered, "you drive me to
despair. I know not whether to loathe thee for this avowal which thou
hast made, or to snatch thee to my arms, abandon all hope of salvation,
and sacrifice myself entirely for one so transcendently beautiful as
thou art. But thy suspicions relative to Agnes are ridiculous,
mon