aspect you have worn, and be again even as you once were. The
past shall be forgotten, and I will strive to make the future happy."

Jaspar gazed at her with a vacant stare, and, muttering some
unintelligible words, sunk back into his chair, and buried his face
beneath his hands. The consciousness of the utter failure of the plan he
had cherished for years, and the terrible obloquy to which his crime
subjected him, rushed like an earthquake into his mind. He was
completely subdued in spirit, and groaned in his anguish.

"The way of the transgressor is hard," remarked Mr. Faxon, in pitying
tones.

These words were heard by Jaspar. They touched his pride. He could not
endure the notes of pity. He raised his head, and his eyes glared with
the fury of a demon.

"Leave the house, sir!" gasped he, choking with passion. "Leave my
house, or I will tear you limb from limb! I can do it, and I _dare_ do
it!" and he started suddenly to the floor. "Yes, I _dare_ do it, if you
mock me with your canting words!"

His eyes rolled like a maniac's, and he gasped for breath, as he
continued,

"I am a murderer already!--a double murderer! Dalhousie and his wife
have felt my vengeance. They have starved like dogs! Their prison is
their tomb!"

"Compose yourself, Mr. Dumont," said Mr. Faxon; "your soul is still free
from the heavy burden of such a guilt. Dalhousie and his wife live."

"You lie, canting hypocrite! No mortal arm can save them. They have been
eight days in my slave jail. Here are the keys," gasped Jaspar, drawing
them from his pocket.

"You shall see; I will call them," said Mr. Faxon.

Dalhousie and his wife, followed by Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, entered
the room.

Jaspar fixed his glaring eyes upon those whom he supposed were rotting
within the precincts of his Inquisition. His power of speech seemed to
have deserted him, and he shook all over like an aspen-leaf.

To Jaspar alone on the estate was the secret of Dalhousie's imprisonment
known. He had not approached the jail, and if any other person was aware
that it had been undermined, they had not communicated the fact to him.

As the last party entered, Dr. Vaudelier turned to look upon the new
comers. Starting suddenly from his chair, he approached them, and gazed
with earnestness into the face of Delia.

"Is it possible!" said he.

"My God,--my father!" and father and daughter were locked in each
other's embrace.

Maxwell, stripped of his disguise, a