“Meanwhile large deductions had been made from my
stock of money, and the remnant would be speedily consumed
by my present mode of life. My expenses far exceeded
my previous expectations. In no long time I should
be reduced to my ancient poverty, which the luxurious existence
that I now enjoyed, and the regard due to my beloved
and helpless companion, would render more irksome
than ever. Some scheme to rescue me from this fate, was
indispensable; but my aversion to labor, to any pursuit, the
end of which was merely gain, and which would require
application and attention, continued undiminished.

“I was plunged anew into dejection and perplexity. From

[figure description] Page 088.[end figure description]

this I was somewhat relieved by a plan suggested by Mr.
Thetford. I thought I had experience of his knowledge
and integrity, and the scheme that he proposed seemed
liable to no possibility of miscarriage. A ship was to be
purchased, supplied with a suitable cargo, and despatched
to a port in the West Indies. Loss from storms and enemies
was to be precluded by insurance. Every hazard
was to be enumerated, and the ship and cargo valued at
the highest rate. Should the voyage be safely performed,
the profits would be double the original expense. Should
the ship be taken or wrecked, the insurers would have
bound themselves to make ample, speedy, and certain indemnification.—
Thetford's brother, a wary and experienced
trader, was to be the supercargo.

“All my money was laid out upon this scheme. Scarcely
enough was reserved to supply domestic and personal wants.
Large debts were likewise incurred. Our caution had, as
we conceived, annihilated every chance of failure. Too
much could not be expended on a project so infallible; and
the vessel, amply fitted and freighted, departed on her
voyage.

“An interval, not devoid of suspense and anxiety, succeeded.
My mercantile inexperience made me distrust
the clearness of my own discernment, and I could not but
remember, that my utter and irretrievable destruction was
connected with the failure of my scheme. Time added
to my distrust and apprehensions. The time, at which
tidings of the ship were to be expected, elapsed without
affording any information of her destiny. My anxieties,
however, were to be carefully hidden from the world. I
had taught mankind to believe, that this project had been
adopted more for amusement than gain; and the debts
which I had contracted, seemed to arise from willingness
to adhere to established maxims, more than from the pressure
of necessity.

“Month succeeded month, and intelligence was still withheld.
The notes which I had given for one third of the
cargo, and for the premium of insurance, would shortly become
due. For the payment of the former, and the cancelling
of the latter, I had relied upon the expeditious

[figure description] Page 089.[end figure description]

return, or the demonstrated loss of the vessel. Neither of
these events had taken place.

“My cares were augmented from another quarter. My
companion's situation now appeared to be such, as, if our
intercourse had been sanctified by wedlock, would have
been regarded with delight. As it was, no symptoms were
equally to be deplored. Consequences, as long as they
were involved in uncertainty, were extenuated or overlooked;
but now, when they became apparent and inevitable,
were fertile of distress and upbraiding.

“Indefinable fears, and a desire to monopolize all the
meditations and affections of this being, had induced me
to perpetuate her ignorance of any but her native language,
and debar her from all intercourse with the world. My
friends were of course inquisitive respecting her character,
adventures, and particularly her relation to me. The consciousness
how much the truth redounded to my dishonor,
made me solicitous to lead conjecture astray. For this purpose
I did not discountenance the conclusion that was
adopted by some, that she was my daughter. I reflected,
that all dangerous surmises would be effectually precluded
by this belief.

“These precautions afforded me some consolation in my
present difficulties. It was requisite to conceal the lady's
condition from the world. If this should be ineffectual, it
would not be difficult to divert suspicion from my person.
The secrecy that I had practised would be justified, in the
apprehension of those to whom the personal condition of
Clemenza should be disclosed, by the feelings of a father.

“Meanwhile, it was an obvious expedient to remove the
unhappy lady to a distance from impertinent observers. A
rural retreat, lonely and sequestered, was easily procured,
and hither she consented to repair. This arrangement
being concerted, I had leisure to reflect upon the evils
which every hour brought nearer, and which threatened to
exterminate me.

“My inquietudes forbade me to sleep, and I was accustomed
to rise before day, and seek some respite in the
fields. Returning from one of these unseasonable rambles,
I chanced to meet you. Your resemblance to the

[figure description] Page 090.[end figure description]

deceased Lodi, in person and visage, is remarkable. When
you first met my eye, this similitude startled me. Your
subsequent appeal to my compassion was clothed in such
terms, as formed a powerful contrast with your dress, and
prepossessed me greatly in favor of your education and
capacity.

“In my present hopeless condition, every incident, however
trivial, was attentively considered, with a view to
extract from it some means of escaping from my difficulties.
My love for the Italian girl, in spite of all my efforts to keep
it alive, had begun to languish. Marriage was impossible;
and had now, in some degree, ceased to be desirable. We
are apt to judge of others by ourselves. The passion, I
now found myself disposed to ascribe chiefly to fortuitous
circumstances; to the impulse of gratitude, and the exclusion
of competitors; and believed that your resemblance to
her brother, your age, and personal accomplishments, might,
after a certain time, and in consequence of suitable contrivances,
on my part, give a new direction to her feelings.
To gain your concurrence, I relied upon your simplicity,
your gratitude, and your susceptibility to the charms of this
bewitching creature.

“I contemplated, likewise, another end. Mrs. Wentworth
is rich. A youth who was once her favorite, and designed
to inherit her fortunes, has disappeared, for some years,
from the scene. His death is most probable, but of that
there is no satisfactory information. The life of this person,
whose name is Clavering, is an obstacle to some designs
which had occurred to me in relation to this woman. My
purposes were crude and scarcely formed. I need not
swell the catalogue of my errors by expatiating upon them.
Suffice it to say, that the peculiar circumstances of your
introduction to me, led me to reflections on the use that
might be made of your agency, in procuring this lady's
acquiescence in my schemes. You were to be ultimately
persuaded to confirm her in the belief that her nephew was
dead. To this consummation it was indispensable to lead
you by slow degrees, and circuitous paths. Meanwhile, a
profound silence, with regard to your genuine history, was to
be observed; and to this forbearance, your consent was
obtained with more readiness than I expected.

[figure description] Page 091.[end figure description]

“There was an additional motive for the treatment you
received from me. My personal projects and cares had
hitherto prevented me from reading Lodi's manuscript; a
slight inspection, however, was sufficient to prove that the
work was profound and eloquent. My ambition has panted,
with equal avidity, after the reputation of literature and
opulence. To claim the authorship of this work was too
harmless and specious a stratagem, not to be readily suggested.
I meant to translate it into English, and to enlarge
it by enterprising incidents of my own invention. My scruples
to assume the merit of the original composer, might
thus be removed. For this end, your assistance as an
amanuensis would be necessary.

“You will perceive, that all these projects depended on the
seasonable arrival of intelligence from —. The delay
of another week would seal my destruction. The silence
might arise from the foundering of the ship, and the destruction
of all on board. In this case, the insurance was
not forfeited, but payment could not be obtained within a
year. Meanwhile, the premium and other debts must be
immediately discharged, and this was beyond my power.
Meanwhile I was to live in a manner that would not belie
my pretensions; but my coffers were empty.

“I cannot adequately paint the anxieties with which I
have been haunted. Each hour has added to the burden
of my existence, till, in consequence of the events of this
day, it has become altogether insupportable. Some hours
ago, I was summoned by Thetford to his house. The
messenger informed me that tidings had been received of
my ship. In answer to my eager interrogations, he could
give no other information than that she had been captured
by the British. He was unable to relate particulars.

“News of her safe return would, indeed, have been far
more acceptable; but even this information was a source of
infinite congratulation. It precluded the demand of my
insurers. The payment of other debts might be postponed
for a month, and my situation be the same as before the
adoption of this successless scheme. Hope and joy were
reinstated in my bosom, and I hasted to Thetford's compting
house.

[figure description] Page 092.[end figure description]

“He received me with an air of gloomy dissatisfaction.
I accounted for his sadness by supposing him averse to
communicate information, which was less favorable than
our wishes had dictated. He confirmed, with visible reluctance,
the news of her capture. He had just received
letters from his brother, acquainting him with all particulars,
and containing the official documents of this transaction.

“This had no tendency to damp my satisfaction, and I
proceeded to peruse with eagerness, the papers which he
put into my hand. I had not proceeded far, when my
joyous hopes vanished. Two French mulattoes had, after
much solicitation, and the most solemn promises to carry
with them no articles which the laws of war decree to be
contraband, obtained a passage in the vessel. She was
speedily encountered by a privateer, by whom every receptacle
was ransacked. In a chest, belonging to the Frenchmen,
and which they had affirmed to contain nothing but
their clothes, were found two sabres, and other accountrements
of an officer of cavalry. Under this pretence, the
vessel was captured and condemned, and this was a cause
of forfeiture, which had not been provided against in the
contract of insurance.

“By this untoward event, my hopes were irreparably
blasted. The utmost efforts were demanded to conceal my
thoughts from my companion. The anguish that preyed
upon my heart was endeavored to be masked by looks
of indifference. I pretended to have been previously informed
by the messenger, not only of the capture, but of
the cause that led to it, and forbore to expatiate upon
my loss, or to execrate the authors of my disappointment.
My mind, however, was the theatre of discord and agony,
and I waited with impatience for an opportunity to leave
him.

“For want of other topics, I asked by whom this information
had been brought. He answered, that the bearer was
Captain Amos Watson, whose vessel had been forfeited, at
the same time, under a different pretence. He added, that
my name being mentioned, accidentally, to Watson, the
latter had betrayed marks of great surprise, and been very
earnest in his inquiries respecting my situation. Having

[figure description] Page 093.[end figure description]

obtained what knowledge Thetford was able to communicate,
the captain had departed, avowing a former acquaintance
with me, and declaring his intention of paying me a
visit.

“These words operated on my frame like lightning. All
within me was tumult and terror, and I rushed precipitately
out of the house. I went forward with unequal steps, and
at random. Some instinct led me into the fields, and I was
not apprized of the direction of my steps, till, looking up, I
found myself upon the shore of Schuylkill.

“Thus was I, a second time, overborne by hopeless and
incurable evils. An interval of motley feelings, of specious
artifice, and contemptible imposture, had elapsed since my
meeting with the stranger at Wilmington. Then my forlorn
state had led me to the brink of suicide. A brief and
feverish respite had been afforded me, but now was I transported
to the verge of the same abyss.

“Amos Watson was the brother of the angel whom I had
degraded and destroyed. What but fiery indignation and
unappeasable vengeance, could lead him into my presence?
With what heart could I listen to his invectives? How
could I endure to look upon the face of one, whom I had
loaded with such atrocious and intolerable injuries?

“I was acquainted with his loftiness of mind; his detestation
of injustice, and the whirlwind passions that ingratitude
and villany like mine were qualified to awaken in his bosom.
I dreaded not his violence. The death that he might be
prompted to inflict, was no object of aversion. It was poverty
and disgrace, the detection of my crimes, the looks and
voice of malediction and upbraiding, from which my cowardice
shrunk.

“Why should I live? I must vanish from that stage which
I had lately trodden. My flight must be instant and precipitate.
To be a fugitive from exasperated creditors, and
from the industrious revenge of Watson, was an easy undertaking;
but whither could I fly, where I should not be
pursued by the phantoms of remorse, by the dread of hourly
detection, by the necessities of hunger and thirst? In what
scene should I be exempt from servitude and drudgery?
Was my existence embellished with enjoyments that would

[figure description] Page 094.[end figure description]

justify my holding it, encumbered with hardships, and immersed
in obscurity?

“There was no room for hesitation. To rush into the
stream before me, and put an end at once to my life and the
miseries inseparably linked with it, was the only proceeding
which fate had left to my choice. My muscles wese already
exerted for this end, when the helpless condition of
Clemenza was remembered. What provision could I make
against the evils that threatened her? Should I leave her
utterly forlorn and friendless? Mrs. Wentworth's temper
was forgiving and compassionate. Adversity had taught her
to participate, and her wealth enabled her to relieve distress.
Who was there by whom such powerful claims to succour
and protection could be urged as by this desolate girl?
Might I not state her situation in a letter to this lady, and
urge irresistible pleas for the extension of her kindness to
this object?

“These thoughts made me suspend my steps. I determined
to seek my habitation once more, and having written
and deposited this letter, to return to the execution of my
fatal purpose. I had scarcely reached my own door, when
some one approached along the pavement. The form, at
first, was undistinguishable, but by coming, at length, within
the illumination of a lamp, it was perfectly recognised.

“To avoid this detested interview was now impossible.
Watson approached and accosted me. In this conflict of
tumultuous feelings I was still able to maintain an air of intrepidity.
His demeanor was that of a man who struggles
with his rage. His accents were hurried, and scarcely articulate.
I have ten words to say to you, said he; lead into
the house, and to some private room. My business with
you will be despatched in a breath.

“I made him no answer, but led the way into my house,
and to my study. On entering this room, I put the light
upon the table, and turning to my visitant, prepared, silently
to hear, what he had to unfold. He struck his clenched
hand against the table with violence. His motion was of
that tempestuous kind, as to overwhelm the power of utterance,
and found it easier to vent itself in gesticulations
than in words. At length, he exclaimed,

“It is well. Now has the hour, so long, and so impatiently

[figure description] Page 095.[end figure description]

demanded by my vengeance, arrived. Welbeck! Would
that my first words could strike thee dead! They will so,
if thou hast any title to the name of man.

“My sister is dead; dead of anguish and a broken heart.
Remote from her friends; in a hovel; the abode of indigence
and misery.

“Her husband is no more. He returned after a long
absence, a tedious navigation, and vicissitudes of hardships.
He flew to the bosom of his love; of his wife. She was
gone; lost to him, and to virtue. In a fit of desperation,
he retired to his chamber and despatched himself. This is
the instrument with which the deed was performed.

“Saying this, Watson took a pistol from his pocket, and
held it to my head. I lifted not my hand to turn aside the
weapon. I did not shudder at the spectacle, or shrink from
his approaching hand. With fingers clasped together, and
eyes fixed upon the floor, I waited till his fury was exhausted.
He continued:

“All passed in a few hours. The elopement of his daughter—
the death of his son. O! my father! Most loved,
and most venerable of men! To see thee changed into a
maniac! Haggard and wild! Deterred from outrage on
thyself and those around thee, by fetters and stripes! What
was it that saved me from a like fate? To view this hideous
ruin, and to think by whom it was occasioned! Yet not to
become frantic like thee, my father; or not destroy myself
like thee, my brother! My friend!—

“No. For this hour was I reserved; to avenge your
wrongs and mine in the blood of this ungrateful villain.

“There, continued he, producing a second pistol, and
tendering it to me, there is thy defence. Take we opposite
sides of this table, and fire at the same instant.

“During this address I was motionless. He tendered the
pistol, but I unclasped not my hands to receive it.

“Why do you hesitate? resumed he. Let the chance
between us be equal, or fire you first.

“No, said I, I am ready to die by your hand. I wish it.
It will preclude the necessity of performing the office for
myself. I have injured you, and merit all that your vengeance
can inflict. I know your nature too well, to believe
that my death will be perfect expiation. When the gust of

[figure description] Page 096.[end figure description]

indignation is past, the remembrance of your deed will only
add to your sum of misery; yet I do not love you well
enough to wish that you would forbear. I desire to die, and
to die by another's hand rather than my own.

“Coward! exclaimed Watson, with augmented vehemence,
You know me too well, to believe me capable of assassination.
Vile subterfuge! Contemptible plea! Take the pistol
and defend yourself. You want not the power or the will;
but, knowing that I spurn at murder, you think your safety
will be found in passiveness. Your refusal will avail you
little. Your fame, if not your life, is at my mercy. If you
faulter now, I will allow you to live, but only till I have
stabbed your reputation.

“I now fixed my eyes steadfastly upon him, and spoke;
How much a stranger are you to the feelings of Welbeck!
How poor a judge of his cowardice! I take your pistol, and
consent to your conditions.

“We took opposite sides of the table. Are you ready?
he cried, fire!

“Both triggers were drawn at the same instant. Both
pistols were discharged. Mine was negligently raised.
Such is the untoward chance that presides over human affairs;
such is the malignant destiny by which my steps have
ever been pursued. The bullet whistled harmlessly by me.
Levelled by an eye that never before failed, and with so
small an interval between us. I escaped, but my blind and
random shot took place in his heart.

“There is the fruit of this disastrous meeting. The catalogue
of death is thus completed. Thou sleepest Watson!
Thy sister is at rest, and so art thou. Thy vows of vengeance
are at an end. It was not reserved for thee to be
thy own and thy sister's avenger. Welbeck's measure of
transgressions is now full, and his own hand must execute
the justice that is due to him.”