"Thou son of a wicked and rebellious woman, do
I not know that thou hast set my friends against me,
and caused mine enemies to hold me in derision!
But thou shalt suffer, thou shalt bend, or I will
break thee, yea, dash thee into pieces. May not the
potter do what he wills with the cup his own hands
have fashioned? Away with thee, misshapen rep-
tile; may soon the Saint Lawrence hide thee, or
may'st thou soon be laid in the burial field of thy
mother's race. Away, thou vessel of dishonor; grant
Heaven that I may not yet make of thee a vessel of
wrath!" and the old man's countenance worked con-
vulsively, as he seemed to be revolving some ter-
rible idea; but at last growing calmer he exclaimed:
"Down, down, ye cruel thoughts, ye horrible con-
ceptions; hence, busiest suggestions of the fiend;
be silent at my ears, ye visionary lips; ye perilous
and importunate prompters, peace!" But scarcely
had he uttered these words, when a report of fire-
arms sounded amongst the trees, and a shot rattled
through the boughs, scattering the leaves upon his
head; and the replicated echoes had hardly ceased,
when a peal of triumphant laughter rose, and con-
tinued to be renewed till the spot appeared a field for
the sport of a hundred goblins of mischief.

"Come in," at length said a voice, and, turning, he
beheld a woman standing in the doorway.

"Who are you?" he enquired.

"Enter, and learn;" she answered: "I would not
have you murdered in your old age. Do you not
know me?" and seizing him rudely she drew him
towards her until his face almost touched her own
emaciated countenance, on which played a sardonic

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v?