has exterminated my remnant of hope. Leave me to
prepare my neck for the halter, and my lips for this last and bitterest
cup."

Mervyn struggled with his tears, and replied, "All this was foreseen,
and all this I was prepared to endure. My friend and I will withdraw, as
you wish; but to-morrow I return; not to vindicate my faith or my
humanity; not to make you recant your charges, or forgive the faults
which I seem to have committed, but to extricate you from your present
evil, or to arm you with fortitude."

So saying, he led the way out of the room. I followed him in silence.
The strangeness and abruptness of this scene left me no power to assume
a part in it. I looked on with new and indescribable sensations. I
reached the street before my recollection was perfectly recovered. I
then reflected on the purpose that had led me to Welbeck's chamber. This
purpose was yet unaccomplished. I desired Mervyn to linger a moment
while I returned into the house. I once more inquired for the keeper,
and told him I should leave to him the province of acquainting Welbeck
with the necessity of sharing his apartment with a stranger. I speedily
rejoined Mervyn in the street.

I lost no time in requiring an explanation of the scene that I had
witnessed. "How became you once more the companion of Welbeck? Why did
you not inform me by letter of your arrival at Malverton, and of what
occurred during your absence? What is the fate of Mr. Hadwin and of
Wallace?"

"Alas!" said he, "I perceive that, though I have written, you have never
received my letters. The tale of what has occurred since we parted is
long and various. I am not only willing but eager to communicate the
story; but this is no suitable place. Have patience till we reach your
house. I have involved myself in perils and embarrassments from which I
depend upon your counsel and aid to release me."

I had scarcely reached my own door, when I was overtaken by a servant,
whom I knew to belong to the family in which Carlton and his sisters
resided. Her message, therefore, was readily guessed. She came, as I
expected, to inquire for my friend, who had left his home in the morning
with a stranger, and had not yet returned. His absence had occasioned
some inquietude, and his sister had sent this message to me, to procure
what information respecting the cause of his detention I was able to
give.

My perplexity hindered me, for some time, from answering. I was willing
to communic