"It were foolish in me to suppose that you have not
heard of my irregularities. You will not be aston-
ished, then, when I call this girl my child, no longer
my mere ward, but mine own child, so late acknow-
ledged. Amanda, child," -- and his voice faltered,
while he spoke with increasing difficulty, -- "will you
acknowledge me in this disgrace, receiving with the
name of father that of felon? Mona Macdonald is
your mother, to whom I have promised marriage till
my way down to perdition is paved with broken
oaths, as false as her love was true, and as hot as
was the fire which fell from heaven, when Elijah
strove with Baal's prophets, and that licked up the
water in the trench, as did those burning oaths of
mine so often dry up her tears. Give me your hand,
Claude; Seigneur Montigny, give me yours. I see a
change within you towards this lady. Stand not
between her and your son, as you would wish no sin
to stand betwixt yourself and Heaven at Judgment."
Then in a low tone meant only for Claude's ear,
he whispered, gasping:

"Think all I would have said, if there were time,
and we were happier. Farewell for ever; I cannot
tarry, neither would I do it now. I have outlived my-
self by near an hour, for I was not myself when I
performed this deed." And again a spasm passed
over his frame, his eyes grew fixed and glazed, and
he earnestly exclaimed: "Gather near me all who
love me, and all to love whom is my duty. Quick,
quick; for a film overspreads my eyes, the throes of
death are tearing down this frame. Quick, I am
dying. Bend over me; let me perceive your breath,
for I am blind. Bend, bend; -- stoop yet lower; I

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p123 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p124w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p124a

v?