The Morning herald., 1876-12-30
CORD AND, CREESB,
CHAPTER XVI.
HUSBAND AND WIFE.

when ne was CalleO ne must De In England
now"
"You arc calm" said Mrs. Thornton.
"Have you nothing more to say than that"
Despard looked at her earnestly. "Do
YOU ask me such question? ? 1t is a story
% full Of anguish that the sheart might
break out of pure sympathy, but what
words could be found? l have nothing to
say. am speachless. My God! what
horror thou dost permit p
"But something must be done," said Mrs
Thornton, impetuously.
"Yss," said Despard, slowly, "but what?
II We could reach our hands over thegrave
and bring back those who have passed
away, then the soul of Edith might find
peace but now-now-we can give her no
peace. She only wishes to die. Yet some
thing must be done, and the first thing is
to find Louis Brandon. Twill start for
London tonight. l will 60 and seek him,
not fer Edith's sake but for his own, that
may save one at least of this family.
For her there is no comfort. Our efforts
are useless there. If we could give her
the greatest earthly happiness it would be
poor and mean, and still she would sigh
after that starry companionship from which
her soul has been withdrawn"
"Then you believe it,"
"Don't you ?"
"Of course; but l did not know that
you would"
"Why not? and if did not believe it
this at least would be plain, that she her.
self believes it. And even if it be hal
Inclination, it is sublime one, and so vivid
that it is the same to her as reality.
Let it be only dream that has taken
place-still that dream has made all other
things dim, indistinct, and indifferent to
her.
"No one but you would read Paolo's
diary without thinking him insane"
Despard smiled. "Even that would be
nothing to me. Some people think that
great genius must be insane.
Great wits are sure to madness near
failed.
you know. For my part, consider Paolo
the sublimest of men. When ! saw him
last was only boy, and he came with
his seraphic face and his devine music to
give me an inspiration which has biased
my life ever since. have only known
one spirit like his among those whom l
have met"
An indescribable sadness passed over his
face. "But now," he continued, suddenly,
Il suppose Thornton must see my uncle's
letter. His legal mind may discern some
things which the law may in this case.
10 Lot, frnv h,Ip ~,
beings, and still farther beyond all help
from English:law. But il Louis Brandon
can be found the law may exert itself in his
favor. In this respect he may be useful
and have no doubt he would take up the
case earnestly, out Of his strong sense OF
justice"
When Thornton came inte dinner Des-
pard handed him his uncle's letter. The
lawyer read it with deep attention, and
without word.
Mrs. Thornton looked agitated--some'
times resting her head on her hand, at
others looking fxedly at her husband. As
soon as he had finished she said, I'M a calm,
measured tone: ,.-
II did not know before that Brandon OF
Brandon Hall and all his family had
perished 80 miserably."
Thornton started, and looked at her ear
nestly. She returned his gaze with unuter.
able sadness in her eyes,
He saved my fathers life," said she.
He benefited him greatly. Your father
also was under slight obligations to him.
thought that things like these constitu-
tea faint claim on ones gratitude, so that
If one were exposed to misfortune hemight
not be altogether destitute of friends"
Thornton looked uneasy as his wife
spoke.
my DEAR" said he, "you do not under
stand"
"True," she answered: "for this thing
is almost incredible. fmy fathers friend
has died in misery, unpitied and unwept,
torsaken by all, do I not share the guilt OF
lngratitude? How can l absolve myself
from blame?:'
"Set your mind at rest. You never knew
any thing about it. ! told you nothing on
the subject"
"Then you knew It'll"
stop! You can not understand this
unless explain it. You are stating bald
iacts but these facts, painful as they are,
are very much modified by circumstances"
swell, then, hope you will tell me all,
without reserve, for wish TO know how it
Is that this horror has happened, and
havestood idly and coldIy aloof My God
she cried, in Italian; ''did he not-did
ac they not in their last moments think of me,
and wonder how they could have been be-
trayed by Langhetti's daughter!'
"My dear, be calm, pray. You are
blaming yourself upjustly, assure you.''
Despard was ghastly pale az this conver.