splendid chamber, surrounded by her friends; and, trembling with agitation, was awaiting the expected arrival of her father.
"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed she, as the poor old man was led in; "Roderick! my beloved Roderick! can we not save him!"
"Alas!" returned Roderick, "I fear—but compose yourself, my dearest girl; all may yet go well."
"Where is Elvira? my child, my darling Elvira!" cried the old man: "I did not kill her! No," whispered he, drawing near to Roderick; "'I killed him, it is true, but it was for her sake. He slandered my child, and I could not bear that."
"Oh God! oh God!" cried Elvira! "have mercy upon him! It breaks my heart to see him thus. Leave us, I implore you," she continued, addressing her friends; "I cannot bear that even you should see the extent of his malady. Leave him with me, and perhaps my presence may recall his lost recollection."
Finding opposition only increased her anx-
