ss and panting, said--'Not now, Simpson, not
now, I entreat, I implore you! To-morrow night, the week's exemption
which I craved, will be completed,--then--then--at this hour--you
may--you will find me in my chamber; _then_, so help me God! I will
offer no resistance; but now, not now!' I surveyed her ladyship with
some surprise; her eyes sparkled like diamonds, and her face, neck and
bosom were suffused with a ruddy, glowing hue. 'As you please, madam,'
I coldly rejoined, for I was provoked at her violent and unexpected
resistance--'as you please; but remember, I am no longer to be trifled
with. To-morrow night be it, then; and see that you do not repeat this
obstinacy of conduct, for I will then accomplish my object, even if I
have to resort to force and violence!' '_I will not then resist you_,
I swear it!' said she, with much solemnity of manner, and then
added--'one favor I will ask of you: permit me to remain all day
to-morrow in my chamber, and do not even attempt to see me, until
twelve o'clock to-morrow night, at which hour you will find me waiting
for your appearance.' I agreed to this request; and she bade me
good-night in a tone almost cheerful, as she left the room to seek her
chamber.

"The next day and the next evening passed;--the midnight hour arrived.
I closed my house, and repaired to the chamber which had been
assigned to the use of my lady guest. Finding the door unlocked, I
softly entered the apartment; it was a spacious room, tolerably well
furnished, and the bed was shrouded by muslin curtains; a lighted
candle stood upon the table; glancing around I saw nobody. 'She is in
bed,' thought I, and every nerve in my body thrilled with delight at
the thought. I approached the bed, and drew aside the curtain. There
she lay--but how very still! 'She sleeps,' thought I, somewhat
surprised; and bending over in the dim light of the unsnuffed candle,
I kissed her lips--heavens! what made them so very cold--and why was
the hand which I had lasciviously laid upon her bosom, dampened with a
warm liquid? I rushed to the table, seized the candle, and returned to
the bed-side. There she lay--DEAD! The life-blood was welling from an
awful gash in her left breast; her right hand grasped a dagger--the
instrument of her death; the bed on which she lay was literally soaked
with her blood, and my hand was stained with it. Then I comprehended
her wor