ice, that we may once more
visit the ruins of my dwelling."

Vila gave directions to the coachman, and they both ascended into the
carriage.

"But why will you make your heart still heavier?" commenced the doctor.
"Come rather directly with me, that I may conduct you to the little
rural asylum, in order to conceal you there until better times. For it
is not to be thought of, that they will now be able to carry you over
the frontiers in safety."

"Oh my poor country!" sighed the Counsellor of Parliament: "men of
probity must now seek hiding-places like criminals. I will only go once
more to the great hall: an iron closet has perhaps been spared by the
robbers and the flames, in it lies the portrait of my wife, which in
the hurry, I forgot to pack up. It would be very painful to me to lose
this dear remembrance." The sun had already set, and they were now
approaching their native, well-known place. From the blackened walls,
dense, smoky clouds were still rising, although the fire appeared
extinguished. The carriage stopped, the travellers descended from it; a
lantern was lighted, and the Counsellor could not avoid wondering at
the difficulty he experienced in finding his way through the formerly
so well-known mansion. Fallen beams reduced to cinders lay
extinguished, and obstructed the entrance to the hall, ashes and
rubbish filled the vast space, it was impossible to recognise any
thing, the walls alone still indicated the former seat of happiness and
peace. The lantern threw a pale wavering glimmer over the sad
destruction, and while the father tremblingly felt about by its light
for the closet, he thought he heard a voice in another apartment.

As he listened more attentively, all was still; yet after a short
interval, a deep, painful sigh was heard again, and then as if from a
heavily oppressed bosom resounded these words: "Yes, my sinful fire has
laid this dwelling in ashes, my wicked impetuosity has murdered the
happiness of this beloved house."

"Oh my unhappy son!" exclaimed the old man as he endeavoured to reach
that apartment; but Edmond advanced immediately, sank down before him
and embraced his knees. "Can you forgive? can you still love me?" cried
he in violent emotion; "I, I, wretch that I am, have flung the brand
into this house, I have rendered you and my sister miserable, I am
indeed the cause of your death. Oh, most gracious, mildest of men, with
what a torn heart do I lie here at your feet, unwort