ed, to listen to
the dictates of conscience was useless; and, worn out as it had been, in
the struggle, and further soothed by the anticipation of continued
prosperity, it no longer had the power to goad him. In short,
conscience for the time had been overcome, and Rainscourt enjoyed after
the tempest a hallow and deceitful calm, which he vainly hoped would be
continued.

When McElvina and the vicar were announced, he thought it prudent to
receive them. The bottle of brandy, to which he had made frequent
applications during the morning, was removed; and having paid some
slight attention to his person, he requested that they would walk up
into his dressing-room. When they entered, the violence of the
preceding day was no longer to be perceived in his countenance, which
wore the appearance of mental suffering. The consciousness of guilt was
mistaken for humility, and the feelings of both McElvina and the vicar
were kindly influenced towards Rainscourt.

"Mr Rainscourt," said the former, "we pay you this early visit that we
may have the pleasure of relieving your mind from a weight which it is
but too evident presses heavily upon it. We think, when you hear what
we have to impart, you will agree with us, that there will be no
occasion for litigation or ill-will. Mr Seymour and your daughter have
repeatedly met before this, and have long been attached to each other;
and although Mr Seymour was too honourable to make your daughter an
offer at the time that he was friendless and unknown, yet the very first
moment after he became acquainted with the change in his circumstances,
he made a proposal, and was accepted. I presume there can be no
objections to the match; and allow us, therefore, to congratulate you
upon so fortunate a termination of a very unpleasant business."

Rainscourt heard it all--it rang in his ears--it was torture, horrible
torture. When they thought that his eye would beam with delight, it
turned glassy and fixed--when they thought that his features would be
illumined with smiles, they were distorted with agony--when they thought
that his hands would be extended to seize theirs, offered in
congratulation, they were clenched with the rigidity of muscle of the
drowning man.

The vicar and McElvina looked at him and each other in dismay; but their
astonishment was not to last. The door burst open, and the frantic and
shrieking Emily flew into the room, exclaiming,--"They have murdered
him--Oh, Go