"When I found out the true reason of her change, I hurried to see her. Your father had rented a cottage a short way from Edinburgh for her home; I went there,--it was a Saturday night, I remember; I watched and saw the Earl's carriage drive from the door. I did no more that night,--her guilt was now sure, and her deceiver too. On Sunday morning, when her servant was at church, I called: she opened the door, and when she saw me would have shut it in my face, but I pressed in. Her room was elegantly furnished; she was splendidly dressed; her dress enhanced her beauty; she never looked more lovely; and when I thought she might have been mine a demon rose in my breast. I know not what I said, save that I called her every vile name I could think of, and she bandied high words too, and bade me begone and leave her to mind herself and her baby. I had not dreamed of that. I turned and saw a cradle, and therein her firstborn child; it was a fair boy, but the devil was in me. The house was lone, every one at church, no human being near. I rushed to the cradle, and seizing the hapless babe, I dashed its infant brains out against the grate." He paused: the Earl's face grew pale as he exclaimed, "Inhuman monster! you avow such a deed!" "Ay, my Lord, reproach me, I deserve it; but see what came of stolen affections. I shall never forget the harrowing scream of Agnes, it was the most awful shriek of heartbroken agony I ever heard, it rings in my ears still. She then fell in a senseless swoon on the floor. The foul fiend prompted me--I heard him speak as though he was beside me--I looked for a weapon--the first I saw was a carving-knife on the sideboard. I whetted it against the fender in diabolical rage--I knew not what I did--I rushed on my prostrate victim, and--" The wretched old sinner paused again, the drops stood on his brow, his face was contorted with evil passions as he thought on the deed. "You cruelly murdered her, you bloodthirsty villain," said the Earl.