which to hear of will make you tremble! I resolved on murdering my brother! after which it was my determination to hasten to the castle, acquaint the Earl with the baseness of his daughter, and terminate my existence in her sight.
"To his own ingenuity I left Claude to account for his unexpected return to the Alps; the minutes seemed hours till he came back to me.
"At length he appeared, and with a face full of importance—'Well, master (said he), I have seen Blanche. I shall not tire you by mentioning the excuses I made to her for my sudden appearance; suffice it to say, they were received in the manner I wished.'
"The Count," cried I impatiently.
'Arrived a few hours ago (said he), and is now in the chamber of Lady Geraldine, to which he was privately conducted by Blanche, who, in consequence of her lady's letter, was on the watch for him.
