m than was incidental to
his first abrupt appearance. His conduct was respectful and
distant--closely observant of the proprieties in his address, and so
studiously guarded as to satisfy them, at the very outset, that nothing
improper was intended. Still, his entrance without any intimation was
sufficiently objectionable to occasion a hasty demand from Colonel
Colleton as to the meaning of his intrusion.

"None, sir, is intended, which may not be atoned for," was the reply. "I
had reason to believe, Colonel Colleton, that the present melancholy
circumstances of your family were such as might excuse an intrusion
which may have the effect of making them less so; which, indeed, may go
far toward the prevention of that painful event which you now
contemplate as certain."

The words were electrical in their effect upon both father and daughter.
The former rose from his chair, and motioned the stranger to be seated;
while the daughter, rapidly rising also, with an emotion which gave new
life to her form, inquired breathlessly--

"Speak, sir! say--how!"--and she lingered and listened with figure bent
sensibly forward, and hand uplifted and motionless, for reply. The
person addressed smiled with visible effort, while slight shades of
gloom, like the thin clouds fleeting over the sky at noonday, obscured
at intervals the otherwise subdued and even expression of his
countenance. He looked at the maiden while speaking, but his words were
addressed to her father.

"I need not tell you, sir, that the hopes of your nephew are gone. There
is no single chance upon which he can rest a doubt whereby his safety
may be secured. The doom is pronounced, the day is assigned, and the
executioner is ready."

"Is your purpose insult, sir, that you tell us this?" was the rather
fierce inquiry of the colonel.

"Calmly, sir," was the response, in a manner corresponding well with the
nature of his words; "my purpose, I have already said, is to bring, or
at least to offer, relief; to indicate a course which may result in the
safety of the young man whose life is now at hazard; and to contribute,
myself, to the object which I propose."

"Go on--go on, sir, if you please, but spare all unnecessary reference
to his situation," said the colonel, as a significant pressure of his
arm on the part of his daughter motioned him to patience. The stranger
proceeded:--

"My object in dwelling upon the youth's situation was, if possible, by
showing its