"She is safe, though, unfortunately, at present in bad hands;" and Henry related to the astonished minister the events of Emily's history since her departure from Bellevue, not concealing even the details of his present relations with her. "And now, my dear sir," said he, rising to depart, "the crisis has come. Dr. Vaudelier waits close by, and we are ready to witness the denouement of this climax of plots. It is already time for Jerome and Emily to arrive, and we desire your immediate presence at the mansion-house." "I will attend you. But I have in the house several friends of Miss Dumont--" "Bring them all with you," interrupted Henry, looking at his watch. "The more witnesses the better, especially if they be friends." "But wait till I tell you who they are." "Excuse me, Mr. Faxon, I must not tarry longer. I will meet them at the mansion." CHAPTER XXX. "What devil's here, dragging the dead to life, To overthrow me?" "Who art thou? Speak! speak!" "The features all are changed, But the voice grows familiar on my ears." LOVELL Jaspar Dumont was seated in the library. The ravages of care and vice were growing more plainly visible on his face. His countenance was haggard, and his complexion seemed to be a struggle between the wanness of care and the redness of intemperance. Near him sat De Guy, who had but just arrived. "The lady has come," said the attorney, adjusting his green spectacles; "and I am here to claim the fulfilment of our contract." Jaspar looked up from the floor, upon which his eyes had been fastened, and gazed with a fixed stare upon his companion. "You do not understand me," insinuated De Guy. "I do," said Jaspar, sternly; "I do; you have come to plunder me." "You do me injustice, my kind friend; I come to save you from the doom of a felon." "To put your foot upon my neck, and leap out of the pit your villany has dug!" "Very well, my dear sir, if you are of this mind, my course is plain. Did you not agree to this arrangement?" said De Guy, with a smile, which was meant to soften the hard question. "True, I did," replied Jaspar, with a whining sullenness. "What would you have of me now?" "Only that you fulfil the stipulations of the bargain." "Can I fulfil them? Can I marry you, even if the girl were willing?" "You can give your commands. Will she not obey them?" "Fool if she does!" muttered Jaspar, in a low tone. "She will be so glad to be restored to her home, I fancy she will not think the terms are hard." "I don't know," said Jaspar, eying the attorney from head to foot. "I consent to the marriage. I can do no more." "Perhaps you will be willing to use a little gentle force, to save your own neck," said the attorney, with something like a sneer. "Anything, anything, that will silence your damning tongue, and rid me of your teasing!" "Now, sir, you are reasonable."