Mr Vanslyperken perused this heart-rending epistle, and fell back on his chair almost suffocated. The woman, who had stood in the passage while he read the letter, came to his assistance, and pouring some water into his mouth, and throwing a portion of it over his face, partially revived him. Vanslyperken's head fell on the table upon his hands, and for some minutes remained in that position. He then rose, folded the letter, put it in his pocket, and staggered out of the house without saying a word. O Nancy Corbett! Nancy Corbett! this was all your doing. You had gained your point in winning over the poor man to commit treason--you had waited till he was so entangled that he could not escape, or in future refuse to obey the orders of the Jacobite party--you had seduced him, Nancy Corbett--you had intoxicated him--in short, Nancy, you had ruined him, and then you threw him over by this insidious and perfidious letter. Vanslyperken walked away, he hardly knew whither--his mind was a chaos. It did so happen, that he took the direction of his mother's house, and, as he gradually recovered himself, he hastened there to give vent to his feelings. The old woman seldom or ever went out; if she did, it was in the dusk, to purchase in one half-hour enough to support existence for a fortnight. She was at home with her door locked, as usual, when he demanded admittance. "Come in, child, come in," said the old beldame, as with palsied hands she undid the fastenings. "I dreamt of you, last night, Cornelius, and when I dream of others it bodes them no good." Vanslyperken sat down on a chest, without giving any answer. He put his hand up to his forehead, and groaned in the bitterness of his spirit. "Ah! ah!" said his mother "I have put my hand up in that way in my time. Yes, yes--when my brain burned--when I had done the deed. What have you done, my child? Pour out your feelings into your mother's bosom. Tell me all--tell me why--and tell me, did you get any money?" "I have lost everything," replied Vanslyperken, in a melancholy tone. "Lost everything! then you must begin over again, and take from others till you have recovered all. That's the way--I'll have more yet, before I die. I shall not die yet--no, no." Vanslyperken remained silent for some time. He then, as usual, imparted to his mother all that had occurred. "Well, well, my child; but there is the other one. Gold is gold, one wife is as good--to neglect--as another. My child, never marry a woman for love--she will make a fool of you. You have had a lucky escape--I see you have, Cornelius. But where is the gold you said you took for turning traitor--where is it?" "I shall bring it on shore to-morrow, mother." "Do, child, do. They may find you out--they may hang you--but they shall never wrest the gold from me. It will be safe--quite safe, with me, as long as I live. I shall not die yet--no, no." Vanslyperken rose to depart; he was anxious to be aboard.