'To take your accursed life will be no murder,' replied the Doctor--'you are a thousand times worse than a poisonous reptile or a beast of prey, and to kill you would be but an act of justice. Yet do not flatter yourself with the prospect of an easy and comparatively painless death; I have sworn that you shall die a death of lingering torture, and you will see how well I'll keep my oath. My knowledge as a physician, and natural ingenuity, have furnished me with a glorious method of tormenting you; and although you are a master in the art of torture, you will see how far I have surpassed you.' 'You have, by serving me this trick, proved yourself to be both a liar and a traitor,' remarked the Dead Man, bitterly. 'Any means,' rejoined the Doctor, calmly--'are justifiable in overthrowing such an infernal villain as you are; but I see the motive of your sneer--you wish to enrage me, that I may stab you to the heart at once, and place you beyond the reach of protracted torment. You shall fail in this, for I am cool as ice. Before commencing operations upon you, I must attend professionally to those ladies.' Mrs. Franklin was easily recovered from her fainting fit;--and the suffering Josephine received at the skillful hands of the Doctor every care and attention which her lamentable case demanded. He pronounced her life in no danger; but alas! her glorious beauty was gone forever--her face was horribly burnt and disfigured, and her brilliant eyes were destroyed; she was stone blind! Thus it is that the wicked are often the instruments of each other's punishment in this world, as devils are said to torment each other in the next. The mother and daughter having been properly looked after, Frank Sydney took the Doctor aside, and warmly thanked him for his timely and acceptable aid. 'You have proved yourself to be a true and faithful man,' said he grasping his friend's hand--'and my unjust opinions in regard to you have given place to the highest confidence in your integrity and honor. You have saved my life tonight, and not for the first time. I owe you a debt of gratitude; and from this moment we are sworn friends. You shall share my fortune, and move in a sphere of respectability and worth.'