It was especially by this latter advantage, which he had by his Puritan education, that Eustis acquired a great control over my sentiments. What seemed right to him, seemed right to me. Morally speaking, he was my master, though to others I appeared his superior in every external advantage.

My wife, on the contrary, who was a distant connection of his, and had been his playfellow in childhood, conceived for him a strong aversion, which, notwithstanding her devotion to my wishes, increased almost to a passion during the first year of our married life. As Eustis and I were constantly exchanging visits, I very soon discovered her sentiments in regard to him, and did all in my power to change or soften them, but with consequences the reverse of what was intended.

At a little distance from the city I had purchased a plantation, adjoining that of my friend, who was unmarried, in order to make our social intercourse more free and frequent. I learned from him the arts of agriculture and economy, as then practised, and what was more difficult, acquired, by assiduous inquiry on my own and skillful instruction on his part, a good knowledge of the history and political constitution of the country. These obligations bound me closely to my friend. We maintained a daily intercourse. We did every thing in our power to make our homes agreeable to each other, by society of the choicest, and conduct the most hospitable.

we

Eustis was too quick an observer, not to comprehend at once the excellence of my wife, and to think he understood the hostility with which she regarded him. "When were children together," he would sometimes say, "Ellen and I were excellent friends; but now, she is jealous of me. She wishes to absorb you entirely. Some women are as jealous of a male as of a female rival." This explanation seemed very agreeable, and heightened my regard for both.

With this exception, I remember nothing that happened amiss during the first three years of my marriage. At the end of the first year, my wife brought me a daughter, who is still living, in enjoyment of the fortune which I have long since renounced. A vigorous constitution carried me unacclimated through two seasons of

danger. In the midst of the first, I had landed. The second and third year safely passed. The fourth now approached and prostrated me. I fell violently ill with the fever of the country, and my life was despaired of.

He

Notwithstanding the little preparation I had made for death, I was unconscious of fear. Only one anxiety possessed me, to ensure the worldly comfort, and if possible the happiness, of my wife and child. Under the advice of Eustis, my fortune had been judiciously invested in valuable plantations. To secure it to its right owners, I had only to make my friend the guardian of my child, and the executor of my will. Believing that it was only an affectionate jealousy that excited her hostility toward him, I had no hesitation in placing her under his care and direction. In the excitement of the time, my confidence in Eustis acquired a romantic character, and it began to seem necessary (for it was my fault to mistake impulses for necessities), that in the event of my decease, my widow should become the wife of my friend. who has so loved me, thought I, will surely love my child; at least, for my sake, he will be kind and just to it. As for my poor Ellen's hostility to him, it is the effect of jealousy, and will wear off as soon as she finds herself dependent upon his generous nature. The design once formed, I thought it impossible to die in peace until it was made sure. I caused a will to be executed in which, after disposing of the body of my property to my wife and child, I bequeathed a valuable share of it to Eustis. I then wrote a paper, containing an injunction upon him, and upon my widow, if they wished for the continued affection and approbation of the departed soul (which, from its place of rest or of torment, would continue to sympathize with their happiness and their misery), to unite themselves with each other in marriage, after the lapse of not more than two years from my decease.

After the making and witnessing of the will, I called Eustis to my bed-side, and with difficulty, so near did I seem to dissolution, laid upon him the solemn injunction that the document, urging the marriage, should not be opened, under any conditions, until two years had elapsed from my decease; and that if, at the end of that

time, it appeared that the consent of the other party could not be obtained for the marriage, the paper should be destroyed, and its contents remain a secret with himself.

Although my eyes at that moment were somewhat dimmed with the film of a threatened dissolution, I remember well the flush of astonishment and pleasure which passed over the features of my friend when he learned the contents of the papers. A dreadful misgiving smote upon my heart with such violence, my very life seemed to fail under it, and from that instant all was a blank.

On rousing from this trance, which had lasted I knew not how long, I found myself lying in the cabin of a ship, attended by a French surgeon. The change of situation, so apparently instantaneous, though I learned afterwards that a full week had elapsed, affected me like the loss of personal identity. And for some time I was speechless, and trembled with fear and astonishment. The surgeon began to speak to me in French, calling me by name, with many respectful and soothing expressions. Soon, I recognized his features and voice as those of an old friend and companion in the army. As I gradually acquired strength to bear it, he explained to me my situation.

It was supposed that I had died. After the second day, fearing putrifaction, Eustis had commanded my corpse to be sealed up in a leaden coffin. It was thought proper that my body should be sent to France, to be placed with those of my ancestors, in the family tomb at Aix, where I was a native. My obsequies were celebrated with great magnificence, and the coffin placed on ship board on the third day, the ship setting sail that very hour. The third day after, while in the gulf, they met a violent storm, which the mariners superstitiously attributed to the presence of a corpse on board. A mutiny was raised in consequence, and it was thought necessary to throw the coffin with its contents into the sea. In attempting, however, to bring it up from the cabin, the sailors were terrified by a movement within, and let their burden fall

ent, insisted on a farther examination, and soon discovered signs of life in the body. The first effects of this astounding intelligence was to produce a stupefaction of my senses, changing quickly into the delirium of fever, which lasted, almost without intermission, until we had gone far out on the Atlantic. A gradual convalescence enabled me, at length, to collect my thoughts, and resolve upon a course of conduct which I afterward pursued with a strength of resolution natural to me, and wholly independent of all scruples of conscience. Indeed, such, until then, had been my way of life, that ideas of right and wrong had hardly made their appearance in my thoughts. I was a man of honor, a firm friend, a dangerous enemy, and a keeper of promises, and that seemed to be enough. My own will, and my proper fame were the gods of my adoration.

The surgeon communicated every particular of the funeral. He described the pale and almost deathful countenance of my wife, the dignified grief of Eustis, the lamentations of my faithful slaves, the sincere sorrow of the neighbors. In regard to all, I questioned him so closely and repeatedly he at length grew weary of the topic, and refused to advert to it. I became dissatisfied, and finally a suspicion made a lodgment in my brain, that the dignified sorrow of Eustis was, at best, but a sham, and that my death had been desired by him, and was rejoiced over in

secret.

Ellen abhorred the man. Why did she so? Faultless herself, could she feel a groundless abhorrence? Was it an idle bias, or a well founded dislike? Perhaps, nay, probably, the latter. What a thrice sodden ass was I, then, to entrust her happiness in the keeping of one for whom she had a real cause of hatred! It was food for bitter and exquisite regret.

But why, ah, why! if that was so, did she not open to her poor, deluded husband, the reason of her dislike? Was it just? was it kind? This, then, was a fault in my reputed angel.

more than friendship. "Ah!" thought I, "I have it now. Would Eustis have endured, day after day, the presence of a spirited woman who hated him, and who did not conceal her hatred? I could not have done so, nor could he. Plainly, then, her animosity was a ruse. ""

Going to sleep with resolutions of a jealous revenge, I would dream that I had returned and was reconciled to Ellen. Again I pressed her to my heart, and waking, cursed the idle jealousy.

Now, I resolved only to have revenge on Eustis, whose triumphant countenance, as it appeared at the moment of my supposed decease, haunted me like a vision of hell. Torn both ways by adverse jealousies, I resembled an unhappy soul for whom two fiends are contending. One hurries him toward the fire, the other toward the ice. No merciful angel interposed to rescue me from their malicious talons. My cries went up to heaven in vain.

Haggard and despairing, I landed at A gift in money, amounting to a considerable sum, had been sent over in the care of the surgeon to my relations. The ship, having discharged a part of her cargo, moved off on a long voyage, and by the promise of a sufficient bribe to be paid them on their return, I imposed silence on the Captain and his men. They were They were soon after wrecked in the bay of Biscay, and all on board lost. My secret was safe. Under a feigned name I resided a year at Paris, with hardly a companion but my own direful imaginations. A hideous expression of despair appeared in my countenance, which made all men shun me. My nearest friends would not then have known me. My body became gaunt and emaciated. My hair and beard, which I

now,

for the first time, suffered to grow long, changed from dark brown to gray. My gait became unsteady and irregular, like that of a drunkard, for which, indeed, I was sometimes mistaken, though scarce any thing beside bread and water passed my lips.

A powerful constitution, however, after a long continuance of this morbid misery began to get the better even of despair, and as my purse was nearly exhausted, it became necessary for me to return to America.

During the homeward voyage I matured my original resolution of never again

making myself known to Ellen, if the suspicion of her infidelity was confirmed. But if it proved that Eustis only was the deceiver, I would allow him to test her affection to the utmost until the two years of her probation had fully elapsed.

I had assumed at Paris the name of St. Pierre, and retained it; trusting also for an effectual disguise to the change of countenance which sickness, gray hairs, and a thick beard had given me; to which I added the black dress and grave demeanor of a clergyman-the latter, indeed, involuntary, and brought upon me by the wear and waste of sad meditation.

I arrived at New Orleans at midsummer.

The pestilence was raging in the city. The streets were deserted. The wealthier population had removed into the interior, or sought the cooler atmosphere of the Northern States. At the hotel I recognized an old negro of my own, a carpenter by trade, who by his industry and economy had acquired a competency for himself and his family. I had given this man his freedom. and a legacy in my will. He was the steward of the house. Trusting to his natural taciturnity and faithfulness, I sent for him to my chamber, having first darkened the room sufficiently to prevent too sudden a recognition. I began by questioning him in regard to Eustis, and learned with some difficulty from the old man, that my estates had been lately sold by him, and that he had gone to New York, taking with him my child and supposed widow, with the intention of remaining there, as the health of mistress, he said, had declined very much since the death of his former master. Struck with a sudden and poignant grief, I fell with my face upon the bed upon which I had been sitting, and wept aloud. The old man was very naturally surprised at this exhibition, and inquired whether master was in any way related to mistress. I assented, and then told him the story of my wonderful resuscitation. After listening to the whole in silence he came forward and fell at my feet. He wept and sobbed with emotion. He said. that on first beholding me he did not think it was I, but that he knew me by my voice when I spoke of his mistress. Confirming the fidelity of the old man by a present of some valuable jewels, and the promise of a larger douceur on my return, I engaged

like one dead than alive, went away slowly, for my feet were heavy with grief.

A voyage full of peril and delay brought me to my final destination, and to the scene of the greatest wretchedness and folly of my life, at the close of the eighteenth month after my supposed decease. I had recovered something of my former strength, and being an adept in several languages, I engaged myself as a teacher, and soon found employment, and made a number of acquaintances. Such however was the weakness of my spirit, I did not dare even to inquire for the names of my former wife and friend, and a full fortnight had elapsed before I gained resolution to pass by the windows of the house where they were liv

ing.

On first passing, I did not dare look up. My heart beat violently, my knees smote together; a crowd of dreadful suscipions rushed upon me, and subdued the rapture of so near an approach to the sole being for whom I lived. Two days after I ventured again, but not without fear of the too violent effects of emotion upon a system weakened as mine was by suffering and disease.

The mansion had the name of Eustis on the door. It was elegant, spacious, and in a wealthy quarter. Can it be, thought I that they are married! Then farewell life, and farewell joy. But stay, I will at least inquire. A nurse-maid leading a little girl came out upon the steps. I addressed her, shuddering like one in an ague. Does Mr. James Eustis reside here? The girl, regarding me with a look of curiosity and pity, replied that that house was not Mr. James Eustis's, but that his brother resided there. Another desperate effort enabled me to ask, though my voice seemed dead, whether a lady had come there from the South. The maid answered yes, and stooped down to comfort the little girl, who, frightened at my bearded and haggard face, stood trembling, and regarding me with eyes askance. Putting her arms about the child, she called her 'Ellen,' (a name which I wept to hear,) comforting her fear, as she led her away from me. It was my own little Ellen. I stood, I know not how

On making inquiry of my landlady, who was a laundress, I learned that the supposed widow was residing in the house of a married brother of Eustis, and that a marriage was talked of between the young widow and a rich southern lawyer, a brother of the gentleman at whose house she was living. My landlady, a talkative busy-body, had interested herself very much in my affairs, and I dared not ask many questions of her. tions of her. Each day after this, I passed by the dwelling of my beloved, and loitered at the corners of the streets hard by. Sometimes the nurse would appear, leading my daughter with her, and it gratified and soothed me to perceive she resembled her mother both in feature and figure, and was of a beautiful countenance and gentle disposition. You may imagine the desire which possessed me to catch the child in my arms as she passed by, but the fear of discovery forbade it.

One evening, passing by on, the other side, I saw a bill posted on the small house opposite the Eustis mansion, signifying that it might be had furnished for a moderate rent. The opportunity was too good to be missed. Without a day's delay I took the house, and engaged as servant a German, who spoke no language but his own. The windows of my new home were furnished with blinds, through which one could see without being seen. To penetrate further into the obscurity of the dwelling opposite, I procured a telescopic glass, which revealed every thing not hidden by a shutter or a curtain. You smile,-well-it was no impertinent curiosity.

The Eustis mansion, as I have told you, was in a fashionable quarter. Daily and nightly, equipages stood before its entrance. I learned in a few days to distinguish the occupants. There were but six, and at least double the number of servants and attendants. Among the latter I observed a negro woman, who had served my wife in the capacity of a nurse, and who was a faithful and devoted friend to her. This woman, though a slave, was of a character superior to her station, but subtle and intriguing. I suspected her of being in the interest of Eustis.

One morning, while observing the oppo

site chamber with my glass, through the half closed blinds, I saw a lady in deep mourning at the window. She looked out for an instant, and withdrew. A film came over my eyes, and prevented my distinguishing anything with certainty, but the air and figure resembled those of my wife. This was the sixth occupant of the mansion, the other five consisting of Mr. Eustis, his wife, and two daughters, very beautiful tall girls, and a lad of sixteen, his younger brother. The sixth then, I had no doubt was my heart's idol.

The nurse came out every morning when the weather permitted, with my daughter, but I avoided being seen by them, though I watched carefully to have a sight of my child each day. It was the only happiness of that time.

As a teacher of languages, without any special effort, I had acquired, under the name of St. Pierre, a fashionable reputation. A suspicion of insanity had attached itself to me, but the gravity of my foreign, indeed Asiatic, manners, a lean pale visage, hollow eyes, and a voice subdued by sorrow, made me an object of interest with the softer sex. I soon found myself acquainted with many persons of wealth and good standing, who were on terms of familiarity with the Eustises.

A thought occurred. Could I become the instructor of my daughter, what an opportunity would that be! It was first necessary however, to increase my disguise.

My former friend Eustis, had been absent from the city, and was now returned. I learned with certainty that my wife was living with his brother, but in a secluded manner, never appearing in society, and seldom leaving her chamber, which was in the rear of the mansion. But two months time was wanting to complete the two years of probation, and the marriage was already talked of as an event to be expected. It was even said that the preparations for the wedding, which was to be costly and magnificent, were in progress.

There was no time to be lost. As a more effectual concealment I adopted the long robes and turban of an Asiatic. An old scar across my forehead had re-opened when I had a fever at Paris, and healing badly, disfigured my brows, giving them an unnatural contraction. My lessons were given privately. I drove in a close car

riage to all places of appointment. Instead of losing reputation by these wilful eccentricities I rather gained by it in the number and fashion of my pupils. My lessons were in German and Italian. I left off speaking French, and used commonly a very broken kind of English, which became habitual. I fancied I was secure against recognition. The modern Greek dialect I had learned in Egypt when a youth, and by affecting the society and sympathy of foreigners, I passed without suspicion for a Mediterranean nondescript. My name of St Pierre was understood to be an assumed one.

Feeling now quite secure, I sought opportunities of introduction to the Eustises. The endeavor was successful. I became the teacher of my child. Each morning I went over to her, and took her upon my knees and taught her to lisp Italian, which was the fashion of the day. Thus did I stand upon the very threshold of a new and happier life. The quiet and sweet conduct of the child soothed away the irritation and despair which gnawed at my heart.

The manners in the Eustis mansion were gay and thoughtless. None of the family, from the master downward, discovered any interest in, or curiosity about me. I was a teacher, a fashionable nuisance, and the ladies of the family learned in a few days to disregard my presence, as though I had been a dog or a dependent relative. My teaching hour was after breakfast, before visiting began. My child and I were left together in a library adjoining a parlor, immediately under the apartments of my wife.

er.

The child became attached to her teach

my

The nurse left us alone together, sometimes for more than an hour at a time. I improved the opportunity, by asking a number of questions. On one occasion, Eustis came into the room, while daughter sat upon my knees with her small fingers twisted in my beard. He scowled upon my daughter, and turned away hastily. She trembled violently and clasped me tightly in her arms. At the same moment, I heard a lady's footstep in the hall. Eustis met the lady as she came forward, and I heard the salutation that he gave her lips.

They returned into the room where I