destined to be made my instrument of vengeance upon the only woman, that ever touched my savage heart--the innocent and beautiful Maria Devereux; and what was it inspired me, monster as I am, with such a horrid purpose? it was because she honourably withstood my splendid offers, and candidly avowed that her affections were fixed upon an unknown gallant officer, who had saved her life, and by that action won her grateful heart.--Blessed be Heaven, that hath prevented this!--I had more to say, much more, but it is lost; my memory wanders, and I feel the deadly drug within me now in operation--I know, I know that there is joy reserved for that benevolent, that blessed youth, who even now with eyes, that beam divinity, looks on me whilst imploring pardon with my dying breath, and pities even the murderer of his father. Here his voice failed; the deleterious dose rushed to the seat of life; another spasm seized him; his senses vanished; death was in his visage, horrible to behold; the medical assistants came about him, pronounced him gone; the poison had prevailed. The awful consummation was complete. END OF BOOK THE SECOND. BOOK THE THIRD. CHAPTER I. _Our Hero meets Major Wilson, and a Conference takes place, which to some of my Readers may perhaps be interesting._ As John De Lancaster was crossing the barrack-yard on his return from the guard-house, he was met by Major Wilson, to whom he imparted the tragical event, which he had so lately witnessed. When the Major had given directions for the measures necessary to be taken in consequence of the prisoner’s death by suicide upon his own confession, he expressed his wish to De Lancaster, that he would step aside with him into his private room, having something on his mind, that he was anxious to communicate to him.