| Note: | Project Gutenberg also has the other two volumes of this book. Volume I: See http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36289 Volume III: See http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36291 Images of the original pages are available through the the Google Books Library Project. See http://books.google.com/books?id=RRgGAAAAQAAJ&oe=UTF-8 |
CHAPTER I. |
"Sæpe intereunt aliis meditantes necem."
PHÆDRUS
"Those who plot the destruction of others, very often fall,themselves the victims."
On leaving Mr. Ormond's house, Constantia was met by that gentleman. Hesaw her as she came out, and was charmed with the simplicity of herappearance. On entering, he interrogated the servant as to the businessthat brought her thither.
"So," said he, as he entered the drawing-room, where Craig was seated,"you have had a visitant. She came, it seems, on a pressing occasion,and would be put off with nothing but a letter."
Craig had not expected this address, but it only precipitated theexecution of a design that he had formed. Being aware of this orsimilar accidents, he had constructed and related on a previous occasionto Ormond a story suitable to his purpose.
"Ay," said he, in a tone of affected compassion, "it is a sad affairenough. I am sorry it is not in my power to help the poor girl. She iswrong in imput