trifling as it was, he returned slowly homewards, revolving in his mind the motives which could have prompted this cruel injury from his former friend. He could not avoid experiencing the greatest pleasure at the prospect of convincing his friends of their erroneous opinion of him; yet this satisfaction was damped by the recollection of Edward's dangerous state. How could Conrad lay open a son's wickedness, to his anxious parents, at such a moment? Could any man of humanity, of feeling, have done so? No! And young Blessington was a man of acute feeling! Therefore, although he longed to clear his character from at least one stain, he would by no means take an ungenerous advantage of any man, however much his mean and wicked conduct might warrant the immediate disclosure of his culpability. He resolved that, until Edward should be able to confront him, he would not make his accusation known to his friends at the Grove: but to Agnes and her father he was under no such obligation of silence; and to them he imparted his suspicions, and they impatiently awaited the moment that it might be deemed prudent to satisfy their curiosity in this particular.

Several days elapsed, during which both the invalids continued to give their friends great uneasiness. Emily's fever, in truth, had abated, and with it the frightful delirium, but she was reduced to the most distressing state of weakness; and though forbidden to speak, the affectionate Agnes, who never quitted her bedside, could perceive by her manner that she remembered too well the circumstance which had operated so powerfully upon her. But for Edward, no such result could be anticipated; on the fourth day the most alarming symptoms arose, and his medical attendants warned his sorrowing parents, the injuries he had received were of such a nature, the worst possible consequences were to be apprehended. Aware of his own critical situation, Edward desired that Mr. Camden might be sent for; and to him he communicated his desire (to quiet his conscience at so awful a moment) of making an avowal of his conduct towards the absent Conrad, to whom he begged Mr. Camden would detail the same. "Would I were able," said he, "to silence the prickings of remorse, by obtaining the pardon of one I have so foully wronged!"

"If such be your wish, my young friend," said the benevolent man, "it can easily be gratified. Conrad is in England.”

"Is he indeed ?" returned Edward, while for an instant the fire of hope gleamed in his eye: "where is he?"

"At the Parsonage, Edward, waiting for the moment when he may be permitted to see you."

"Does he, then, know how I have acted?but no, he cannot! I will not see him, howMr. Camden, I could not face him."

ever.

"Well, Edward, think of it. I will do whatever you please; but you have no occasion to fear my noble Conrad's anger; I am sure he will only feel grateful to you, for clearing his character from the shadow of error."

Edward paused some minutes, ere he replied; pride and conscience maintained a short but painful conflict in his breast; he then said, suddenly," Well, I will see him, Mr. Camden; but let it be directly, or my courage will

not serve me."

The good man instantly departed on the mission, and in the course of an hour he returned, accompanied by the Major, whom

Edward requested to attend Mr. Camden to his room. Agitation for a moment prevented Edward from replying to Conrad's salutation, though he pressed the hand cordially offered him.

"Conrad," he then said, " you have arrived just in time for my comfort and your own. You see I am cut off by an accidental fall, while you are in health, although you have been seeking death for many years. No doubt, it is sent as a punishment for my conduct to you, and as such I must endeavour to regard it. I scarcely know, even now, if my intention of telling you my crime will bear me out. Give me your hand, Conrad.-Oh! what a villain I have been! Did I not know I should be doubly culpable in concealing what will make you and all here happier, I could not disclose the facts."

"Be assured, Edward," said Conrad, kindly, "whatever you have done, I freely forgive. I only

Stop, Conrad, until you know all. My animosity began the last time you were at home. I had long loved Agnes Camden; and when I returned from Scotland, and found you had

usurped my place, hatred possessed my mind. Perhaps you never knew I asked her hand, and was refused." (Conrad looked astonished.) "Yes, she refused me and accepted you; thus I became your and her enemy. It boots not now to say what agony I endured, or to mention how carefully I nourished my evil passion; it is enough to say, I made up my mind to ruin your cause at the Parsonage, and I hailed your departure for Spain with delight. I expected, when you were gone, to be more contented; but I was sadly mistaken, for I could not bear to hear your name; and when your letters gave so much pleasure, I determined to destroy them. After the first, it was not difficult; and, as I proceeded in guilt, I wrote and sent all those letters which were received, vilifying your character, and incited Mr. Camden to renounce all connection with you. Yet, while I thus gratified my desire for your expulsion from the family, I was far from happy, and Agnes still turned a deaf ear to my admiration. I was always in dread lest my conduct should be discovered; and I assure you, I now feel more at ease than I have done for years. I have injured you much, but, I hope and trust, not past forgiveness. Do not