The path of reconciliation is impeded by infurmountable barriers; and reflection would foon convince even the uxorious husband, that wounded honour impofed the neceffity of feparation. The morning broke before the travellers entered the gate of Powerscourt. The earl's attention was arrefted by the atchievement fufpended under the architrave, and a figh burft from his heart, extorted by the remembrance of the meek[benevolence which it was defigned to commemorate. Lights appeared at feveral of the windows. He could difcern the servants gliding about when the carriage stopped; yet all was filent, except the whispering breeze. The hofpitable doors, which used to fly open at his approach, were now cautiously unclosed. The attendants, whom the noise of the carriages had gathered in the hall, were dreffed in the weeds of woe, woe, and their countenances were as mournful as their garb. To the quick interrogatory of "Is "The alive?" a faint affirmative was the only reply; and Monteith, gafping for breath, was rushing forward, when the venerable figure of Mr. Evans arrested his steps. "I am summoned," said the good man, waving his hand. "Let " me perform my awful duty, and then "C you shall be admitted. The countess "has fent to requeft my prayers. Join, "fir, and recommend her parting spirit "to the Father of mercies." "Pray for us both," raved Mon"teith; " and if there be efficacy in prayer, entreat that my burning brain may be numbed by infenfibility. If you have any mercy," continued he, raifing his voice after Mr. Evans, who had made a fign to the fervants to detain him, "let me fee my wedded « love. "love. Do not you know, that it is 63 my feverity which has broken her "heart, and my forgiveness will yet "restore her? Think you that I can "be patient when one loft moment may plunge me into perpetual anguifh?" Mr. Evans promised that he would immediately announce his arrival; and he leaned against one of the pillars, panting with fufpence, expecting his fearful fummons. It was to the death-bed of withering youth and faded beauty, to the couch on which greatness, difrobed of its diftinguishing ornaments, confeffed its defcent from the common stock of humanity, that Mr Evans approached. "Is it my extreme weakness, or fupe"rior intelligence," faid the countess in a hollow voice, " that makes me "now attribute fuch powerful efficacy "to a good man's prayers?" VOL. III. R "A fel "A fellow finner," replied Mr. Evans, "recommends you to Heaven." "Your hand, fir! I fhall not long be "able to thank you.-My fituation is << very awful. How my poor heart "throbs with pain and terror!-Any "news from lord Monteith ?" "He forgives you." "And are my children well?" "They are waiting to be admitted.” "I fear my fight is now too dim to << fee them. But I would bless them, if "I dare.-Would it be prefumptuous " in me to blefs them ?" A loud groan at this inftant iffued from the door. It was Monteith's voice, and the dying countefs caught the wellknown found. The bed fhook with her convulfive tremblings. "I thought," faid fhe," that nothing mortal would "have affected me. But that voice-oh "that I could proftrate myself before " him." " My My wife!" exclaimed the earl, who had by this time broke from those who attempted to reftrain him, and approached the bed; when, fhocked by the emaciated face where beauty once refided, he shuddering drew back his extended arms. "Infernal villain, who "hath brought thee to this! Curfed "traitor who firft feduced me from "thee-plunged me in vice, then ftole my treafure; and now laughs at my mifery !-may his guilty foul "for ever writhe in tortures fuch as "I now endure! Awake, awake, my love; my Geraldine!" (for, overpowered by his appearance, fhe had fainted.)" I forgive thee. Oh live, my love! but I know all thy fad ftory. "Do live, do but smile upon me. Once "more bless me with thy tender fmile. Nothing, nothing then fhall part |