iod, recovered, he intended to leave Osborne to be
punished only by his own remorse. There was no prospect, however, of her
being restored to reason, and now his determination was finally taken.
Nay, so deeply resolved had he been on this as an ultimate step in the
event of her not recovering, that soon after Mr. Osborne's return from
London, he waited on that gentleman, and declared his indignation at the
treachery of his son to be so deep and implacable that he requested of
him as a personal favor, to suspend all communication with the unhappy
girl's family, lest he might be tempted even by the sight of any person
connected with so base a man, to go and pistol him on whatever spot he
might be able to find him. This, which was rather harsh to the amiable
gentleman, excited in his breast more of sorrow than resentment. But it
happened fortunately enough for both parties that a day or two before
this angry communication, Dr. M'Cormick had waited upon the latter, and
gave it as his opinion that any intercourse between the two families
would be highly dangerous to Jane's state of mind, by exciting
associations that might bring back to her memory the conduct of his son.
The consequence was, that they saw each other only by accident, although
Mr. Osborne often sent to inquire privately after Jane's health.

William having now understood that Osborne and his wife resided in
Paris, engaged a friend to accompany him thither, for the purpose of
demanding satisfaction for the injuries inflicted on his sister. All
the necessary arrangements were accordingly made; the very day for
their departure was appointed, and a letter addressed to Agnes actually
written, to relieve the family from the alarm occasioned by his
disappearance, when a communication from Osborne to his father, at once
satisfied the indignant young man that his enemy was no longer an object
for human resentment.

This requires but brief explanation. Osborne, possessing as he did,
ambition, talent, and enthusiasm in a high degree, was yet deficient in
that firmness of purpose which is essential to distinction in public or
private life. His wife was undoubtedly both beautiful and accomplished,
and it is undeniable that his marriage with her opened to him brilliant
prospects as a public man. Notwithstanding her beauty, however, their
union took place not to gratify his love, but his ambition. Jane
Sinclair, in point of fact, had never been displaced from his affection,