"No--no--no--I must away--or more murders will be perpetrated." "Stop, Ralph, a little moment--do not go unprovided. Take these and these--he stole not all the documents--let me also give my testimony under my own hand of your identity. It may be of infinite service to you." She then wrote a short letter to Sir Reginald, describing accurately my present appearance, and vouching that I, and none other, was the identical Ralph Rattlin, who was nursed by the Brandons, and born at Reading. "Take this, Ralph, and show it to Sir Reginald. I only ask one thing: spare the life--only the life--of that unfortunate boy!--and in his, spare mine--for I am unprepared to die!" "The mercy that he showed my mother--" I had proceeded no further in my cruel speech, when a great noise was heard at the door, and two rough-looking Bow Street officers, attended by the whole household, rushed into the room. They advanced towards the upper end of this elegant sanctum. Mrs Causand sprang up from her sofa, and, standing in all the majesty of her beauty, sternly demanded, "What means this indignity?" "Beg your ladyship's pardon, sorry to intrude--duty--never shy, that you know, ma'am--only a search-warrant for one Joshua Daunton, alias Sneaking Willie, alias Whitefaced--" "Stop, no more of this ribaldry--you see he is not here--I know nothing concerning him--of what is he accused?" "Of forgery, housebreaking, and, with an accomplice, of an attempt to murder a young gentleman, a naval officer of the name of Ralph Rattlin." Mrs Causand turned to me sorrowfully, and exclaimed, "Oh, Ralph! was this well done of you?" Her fortitude, her sudden accession of physical strength, seemed to desert her at once; and she, who just before stood forth the undaunted heroine, now sank upon her couch, the crushed invalid. At length, she murmured forth, feebly, "Ralph, rid me of these fellows." I soon effected this. I told them that I was the culprit's principal accuser; that I was assured he was not only not within the house, but I verily believed many miles distant. They believed me, and respectfully enough retired. Miss Tremayne, the companion and nurse of the invalid, now with myself stood over her. She had another attack upon the region of her heart: and it was so long before she rallied, that we thought the fatal moment had arrived. When she could again breathe freely, her colour did not, as formerly, return to her cheeks. They wore an intense and transparent whiteness, at once awful and beautiful. Yet she spoke calmly and collectedly. I entreated to be permitted to depart--my intercessions were seconded by the young lady. But the now cold hand of Mrs Causand clasped mine so tightly, and the expression of her eyes was so imploring, that I could not rudely break away from her.