were at the very door, she had a place of concealment, so secure, that it would be impossible to discover him; and there, if any danger was near, she would hide him from all pursuit.

"Hide me, hide me from myself! (he exclaimed) Oh! hide me from the horrors of my conscience!"

She treated his feelings with lightness; and passing her arm over his neck, inquired what advantage he had made of his uncle's death-whether he had secured the keys of his treasures, which doubtless were about him; what gold, or what jewels he had brought her?

Barnwell started as if a serpent had stung him; and, suddering at the recollection of the dreadful deed, pictured with agonizing earnestness the last dying moments of his murdered uncle, and his own horror at beholding him! Millwood, finding herself disappointed in the hope of advantage resulting from the deed of blood, now burst out into the most bitter invectives against his weakness and hypocrisy, declaring that she would not hazard her reputation or her life for his entertainment: when Barnwell, with the utmost astonishment, gazed for a few moments in silent sorrow, then beating his breast, and tearing his hair in distraction, threw himself on a couch and sobbed aloud!

These indications of violence alarmed Millwood; for she feared he would discover the fatal transactions, and involve her in his ruin: wherefore, in her selfish apprehensions for her own safety, she adopted a species of cruelty beyond what even her desire of vengeance upon mankind would have impelled her to; instantly despatching Blount for an officer to take Barnwell into custody, on an accusation of murder!. Scarcely believing the evidence of his senses, he started from the couch-and throwing himself on his knees, grasped her hand with frantic energy, imploring her to call back the messenger. He de

clared that he would instantly give himself up into the hands of justice; but, to be betrayed by her, for her to be his accuser, was agony beyond all human endurance. Millwood, hardened as she was, could not be insensible to his anguish ; but her own danger overpowered every other consideration, and she resisted all his supplications: the officers arrived; and Barnwell was conducted to prison.

Scarcely had this scene of horror passed, when Millwood was alarmed by the sound of strange voices; and, without the ceremony of introduction, a stern visitor made his appearance. It was Mr. Thorowgood, who came to demand from her an account of Barnwell; but she treated his demand with much hauteur, till he accused her of having instigated him to the murder of his uncle. Millwood then perceived that Lucy and Blount had betrayed her; and unless she could have the skill to turn the accusation upon them, she herself was inevitably lost!

Blount and Lucy had lived with her for some time, and been faithful servants: they had followed and served her in her career of infamy without any great remorse of conscience; but though deeply immersed in scenes of depravity, they shuddered at the thought of murder; and the idea of a youth lifting his hand against the life of so near a relative-one who had been to him as a parent, was a crime of such magnitude, that they resolved to use their utmost efforts, to prevent the horrid deed, if it were possible. Lucy therefore hastened to Mr. Thorowgood with the intelligence; but he, feeling that part of her story was false, viz. that Barnwell had robbed him--(for Maria and Trueman had supplied all the sums he had taken) hoped her other information was without foundation also. Trueman's fears were however more acute; and mounting a horse, he galloped without delay towards Camberwell, the residence of old Barnwell. But his haste was not sufficient;

for he arrived but to witness the bleeding remains of the venerable man, and the cries of his agonized servants. On his return, he and Mr. Thorowgood hastened to the house of Millwood, and despatched Blount for the officers of justice!

Mr. Thorowgood's accusation of her, as to a share in the murder, awakened all her apprehensions; and without hesitation, she in a moment invented a tale so plausible, attributing Barnwell's visit to his lovo for her attendant, that, had not Mr. Thorowgood been firmly convinced of her guilt, he must have been deluded by her eloquence and falschood. Her only remaining hope if possible was now to escape, by pretending to go in search of guilty Lucy; but Thorowgood, aware of her design, forbade her to quit the room. She then went into a closet, as she said, to "fetch a proof, which when produced, would silence all objections.' Her intention was to arm herself with a loaded pistol, to threaten, and even to fire at Thorowgood, should he attempt to detain her; but as she returned, the pistol was wrenched from her grasp by Trueman, who with Blount, Lucy,

Thus defeated and compelled to submit-the wretched woman was conducted to prison, there to expiate her crime. Millwood's demeanour towards Thorowgood, and even when summoned to the bar to undergo her trial and condemnation, was haughty in the extreme. Supported by that pride of soul, which, first excited by the unkindness of her natural protectors, and afterwards confirmed by the peculiarity of her situation, had become the fixed principle of her mind, she sustained herself with unshrinking fortitude; the fortitude of pride and despair, by casual observers deemed the effect of hardened insensibility Few indeed could judge of Millwood's feelings; their intenseness almost soared beyond human comprehension; a dread eternity stood before her harassed view; an eternity which presented to her no feeling but of torment. Reflections on the past, the horror of the present, and the prospect of futurity, were all, all equally marked by anguish and despair. In her days of prosperity, she had repulsed the reproaches of conscience by a mask of gaiety and exultation, but what could repel their advances now? they were too acute for resistance! too dreadful for control! !--

Oh! conscience, who shall calmly brave thy pangs
In retribution's awful hour-then-when

Almighty vengeance, terrible and just,
Displays itself to the affrighted soul!
When the gay scenes of frail mortality
Are on the close, and vast eternity
Stands in the view ;-eternity of sorrow!
Shut out for ever from the joys of heaven,
For ever from the presence of our God!
To see his face, but once-but only once-
Flashing like lightning on our guilty eyes!
To hear his voice, but once-but only once-
Speaking in thunder to our guilty ears!
Ah! who can bear the dread anticipation.

Barnwell's sufferings were light, compared with

those of Millwood.

The balm of sympathy was

poured upon his bleeding wounds; religion's sacred influence inspired his soul; and the tears of his reTentance were as the dew of heaven upon the parch 4 earth. One bitter pang alone was his-Maria, the ovely angel Maria- -came to visit him in his dreary cell; no longer concealing her regard. He leartied -alas, too late-he learned the treasure he possessed in this bright maid's affections. She came to bid him an eternal adieu; to tell him that none should claim a share in that heart, once devoted to him; that, morning-noon-and eve, her prayers should ascend to the throne of mercy, for his par don; and she bade him look forward with hope to that blessed eternity, when they should meet in a better world-mect, never more to part! While yet she was speaking, the dismal bell struck upon her affrighted ear, and all her resignation in a moment vanished. The pallid hue of death spread over her cheeks; and, uttering a piercing shrick, she sunk lifeless in the arms of Trueman. Barnwell pressed her cold hand to his lips, and tore himself away-lest her returning senses should disarm his resolution.

The concourse of busy spectators, who came to view the scene of horror, stood mute: and the most