consign you, as the immediate cause of his son's death.'
'Oh! have mercy (he exclaimed, and dropped upon his knees); I am not quite so guilty as you imagine: my poverty exposed me to temptation, and a base enemy of Lord Philippe's, by lavish promises, seduced me to evil. I have already made a full confession of every circumstance to a relation of the Marquis's; and I am ready to repeat the same to you, if you but promise not to give me into his power.'
'Well (said I, after some minutes of consideration), on this condition I give the promise you desire.' I accordingly raised him from the ground, and with an impatience which made me tremble, seated myself near him to hear his narrative. He had just opened his lips for the purpose of beginning it, when a violent knock came to the door, and the post-master bid me come out directly, for the Marquis of Montmorenci was dying. All horror and consternation, I obeyed him, and found a fellow-servant
