lained anything that was past, but his activity and art were
without a parallel.

He enjoyed our success mightily; and for his sake I enjoyed it
somewhat, but it was on account of his comfort only, for I could not
for my life perceive in what degree the Church was better or purer than
before these deeds were done. He continued to flatter me with great
things, as to honours, fame and emolument; and, above all, with the
blessing and protection of Him to whom my body and soul were dedicated.
But, after these high promises, I got no longer peace; for he began to
urge the death of my father with such an unremitting earnestness that I
found I had nothing for it but to comply. I did so; and cannot express
his enthusiasm of approbation. So much did he hurry and press me in
this that I was forced to devise some of the most openly violent
measures, having no alternative. Heaven spared me the deed, taking, in
that instance, the vengeance in its own hand; for, before my arm could
effect the sanguine but meritorious act, the old man followed his son
to the grave. My illustrious and zealous friend seemed to regret this
somewhat, but he comforted himself with the reflection, that still I
had the merit of it, having not only consented to it, but in fact
effected it, for by doing the one action I had brought about both.

No sooner were the obsequies of the funeral over than my friend and I
went to Dalcastle, and took undisputed possession of the houses, lands
and effects that had been my father's; but his plate, and vast
treasures of ready money, he had bestowed on a voluptuous and unworthy
creature, who had lived long with him as a mistress. Fain would I have
sent her after her lover, and gave my friend some hints on the
occasion; but he only shook his head, and said that we must lay all
selfish and interested motives out of the question.

For a long time, when I awaked in the morning, I could not believe my
senses, that I was indeed the undisputed and sole proprietor of so much
wealth and grandeur; and I felt so much gratified that I immediately
set about doing all the good I was able, hoping to meet with all
approbation and encouragement from my friend. I was mistaken. He
checked the very first impulses towards such a procedure, questioned my
motives, and uniformly made them out to be wrong. There was one morning
that a servant said to me there was a lady in the back chamber who
wanted to speak with me, but he could not tell me who