ange came over my spirits. I was
young; and although I still bitterly regretted the past, its influence
became weaker and weaker. What was done could not be undone; such
reparation as was possible I had made. Brooding over my sin would
never make it the less. I reasoned thus with myself, and the final
result was inevitable. I commenced to mix more with my fellows, to
look up my old friends in town,--in fact, to take up again the threads
of my life, which I had once regarded as broken for ever.

"'After a while I married; and then, more than ever, Irene and that
portion of my past which was bound up with her seemed like some
vague, far-distant nightmare, fast assuming a very remote place in my
thoughts. I loved my wife as I had never loved Irene, and for a time
I was intensely happy. A son was born to me, and in my joy I feasted
half the county at Vaux Abbey. I had desired nothing so much as
this, for the De Vaux estates and mines, immense as they are, are all
strictly entailed. A son was wanted to complete my happiness, and a
son I had. But already, although I knew it not, a storm was gathering
for me.

"'It was about a fortnight after the festivities, and I had just come
in with some friends from an afternoon's shooting, when I was told
that a gentleman from abroad--the servant believed--was waiting to see
me in the library. Even as he spoke the words I seemed to know who
it was. My heart sank, and the presentiment of some coming evil was
strong upon me. I hesitated, and then, feverishly anxious to know
the worst, I turned away with some careless excuse to my guests and
entered the library.

"'It was Count Hirsfeld who stood there waiting for my arrival, with
a calm, evil smile upon his lips, which instinctively I felt to be
the herald of some coming trouble for me. Yet my courage did not
altogether desert me.

"'"Count Hirsfeld, your presence here demands an immediate
explanation," I said sternly. "Had I been at home, you would not have
been admitted."

"'"I come," he answered slowly, with his eyes fixed steadily upon my
face, "as an ambassador from your wife."

"'"From my wife!" I repeated. "You do not know her! What do you mean?"

"'He shrugged his shoulders. "I regret that my meaning is not clear,"
he said. "I repeat that I come as an ambassador from your wife, Irene
de Vaux. I have brought you a message from her."

"'"A message from the dead!" I gasped.

"'"Dead! By no means!" he answered, with a slow,