“Then I should not owe you forgiveness, but gratitude. But as the time of probation (according to your own declaration) is past, will you not be so good as to let me see only a few rays of that light, the full splendor of which I am going to behold.” “I have orders not to disclose the secret to you before the liberation of your country should be accomplished.” “Then my probationary time is not yet finished?” “The time of delusion is past, and you are now to begin the epocha of acting for which the former was designed to prepare you. Strain every nerve to deliver your country, and the last trial will be finished.” “How can I save my country?” “At M***d you shall be informed of it.” “I am going to depart for that town to-morrow morning.” “At ****, twelve miles from hence, you may stop for a short time--but mark well, only for a short time. You will meet Amelia there”-- “Amelia?” “And will find her differently disposed from what she would have been without my interference.” “What do you mean by that?” “The Countess has vowed to be faithful unto death to the man of her heart. She has frequently renewed this rigorous vow at the tomb which she has devoted to his memory, and thus promised to the dear departed object of her love a sacrifice, which has driven to despair all those whom her uncommon charms have enchanted. You would have shared the same fate, my Lord, if my power had not dissolved the dreadful covenant which Amelia has made with the departed spirit of her Lord.” I started up like a maniac--“_That_ you have done? _You_ have done that?” The Irishman rose coolly from his seat: “Moderate your joy,” said he, “for you don’t know whether I have not deceived the Countess!” “O forget what I have said in the heat of passion. Beings like you are above slander. Forgive what I have said!” “When you come to **** stop at the inn of St. James’s, and then you shall be convinced by my actions that I have forgiven you.” So saying, he shook hands with me and left my apartment.