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"And he went forth, alone! not one of all

The many whom he loved, nor she whose name
Was woven in the fibres of the heart
Breaking within him now, to come and speak
Comfort unto him. Yea, he went his way,
Sick, and heart-broken, and alone!"

It was not alone on the desolate family in Kensington, that sorrows and misfortunes rested; the unhappy Captain Cecil also drank deeply of the bitter cup of affliction, without one palliating circumstance; and with the overwhelming reflection that it was his madness, his criminal disregard of the dictates of common sense, that had called down all this misery upon himself and upon those dearer to him than self.

On first leaving his mansion in the Regent's Park, Captain Cecil lingered for a short time in the suburbs of London, in order to gain time to make some necessary arrangements for the little comfort that could be secured for his family; and also to take strict precautions in his intended flight to the Continent, having heard that means were in preparation for his arrest, at more of the seaports than one. His embarkation, however, was at length safely effected at Southampton; and on landing in France, he took up his abode in the little town of Honfleur, immediately on the coast. It is scarcely possible to imagine greater wretchedness than now assailed him. The occupation of business connected with his affairs, and the excitement attending his escape had now ceased; and he was alone in his misery with no one near to whom he could turn for some word of comfort,-no friendly being who might beguile some

of the long and dreary hours which crept so slowly and sorrowfully away. Possessing the most affectionate and tender of hearts, which was wholly devoted to the wife. and children from whom he had been severed in so cruel a manner, it is not to be wondered that such excess of grief crushed to the utmost his spirit, and for some time he gave himself wholly up to despair.

Living in the meanest lodging; denying himself nearly the very necessaries of life, that the little which remained to him of former prosperity might be husbanded for the service of his family; thinking by day and by night of the wife of his bosom, alone, sinking and suffering, at a moment when his utmost care and tenderness were most to be desired for her-his every thought was distracting-his every feeling tinctured with woe unutterable; and death, scarcely now to be dreaded, seemed really hovering near the broken-hearted man.

In the apartments immediately below the room occupied by Captain Cecil, there was lodging a Catholic priest. Le Père Liot was a man of education, and of an enlightened mind; he had traveled much, had mixed freely with his fellow-creatures; and although devoted to his own form of religion, from a conscientious belief of its being the only true one, still he worshiped in the religion of his fathers without bigotry or narrowmindedness, and could look on those without the pale of the Roman Catholic Church, with benevolence and the purest Christian charity.

The attention of this excellent man was first attracted to the circumstance of the apartment above him becoming occupied by the sound of footsteps, which appeared eternally to pace up and down-without cessation or change; even during the silent hours of night he sometimes heard them. The good man, at length, was about to complain of this wearisome interruption, as a nuisance not to be endured; but on mentioning it to a man who was in the habit of waiting upon all those

who lodged in the house, he gave him such a description of the unfortunate occupant of the room above, that the tender compassion, as well as the curiosity, of the kind old man was excited. On hearing that he constantly wept over a picture,-that he scarcely took adequate nourishment for his support,-that he appeared ill and suffering, and completely absorbed in grief, he longed to be of some use to the unhappy stranger, and sought with impatience for an opportunity by which he might introduce himself. For many days he watched in vain to obtain an interview with his unfortunate fellow-lodger Captain Cecil did not leave his apartment, nor indeed were his agitated steps heard any longer pacing the chamber. The impatience of Monsieur Liot could scarcely stand this trial; and the fear of intruding alone prevented his seeking him. At length, however, he was told, that the poor Englishman was dangerously ill. His ceremonious scruples then instantly vanished; and truly like the good Samaritan did he hasten to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow-creature, unheeding the difference of country and religion.

He entered the mean and scantily furnished apartment; and there, stretched upon the bed, was the form of this once happy and prosperous man. His mind quite distracted by the effects of a brain fever, he lay calling in the most pathetic manner upon his wife and children; at one moment addressing them with the fondest expressions, and then again, deprecating their reproaches, by imploring them to pardon him. A paroxysm of actual frenzy succeeded this fearful mental excitement, which nearly baffled the united strength of Monsieur Liot and the attendant, in their efforts to prevent his committing some fatal act of insanity.

Most providentially an English family, who were proceeding to Italy, had been detained some time at Havre, by the illness of one of the party. In his visits to that town, which was merely separated from Honfleur by the Seine, Monsieur Liot had met, at a reading-room, the

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English physician who accompanied Lord B's family and recollecting the circumstance, he lost no time in sending a messenger to solicit the doctor's attendance on his suffering countyman. The request was immediately and cheerfully complied with; and although it required the utmost skill and discipline to subdue this fearful attack, Monsieur Liot had the satisfaction of seeing the strength of the disease weakened by the course pursued. By slow degrees Captain Cecil was restored to consciousness; and the first object he beheld, on again opening his eyes unobscured by the vapors of delirium, was the venerable form of his unknown benefactor seated by his bedside, and a clean-looking old woman, who appeared quite established there, sitting near the fire quietly knitting. There was a degree of comfort surrounding him which was most soothing to his feelings; and he again closed his eyes, almost fearing the sense of calm and repose which had stolen over him, was but one of the delusions of his fevered brain. He then felt his temples bathed with eau de Cologne, and again the same hand fanned his burning brow,—a hand so gentle, that he could almost fancy himself under the tender care of the dear ones whom he had left. However, this blissful uncertainty was soon destroyed; and again looking around him, he fixed his surprised gaze upon the mild countenance of the old man, who, to re-assure him, said in a gentle tone "Ne vous inquiétez pas, mon cher ami, tout ira bien maintenant." The foreign language at once recalled to the remembrance of Captain Cecil his exile from his country-all the dreadful train of incidents accompanying it rushed upon his mind; and the wretched man, bursting into tears, hid his face in the bed-clothes.

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From this hour, however, Captain Cecil became gradually convalescent; and he rose from his bed of sickness, an altered, and a better man. Although in his most prosperous days he had ever had a sense of religion, yet it had not been his support in affliction.

The excitement of his mind had been such that he could not pray-deep despair had closed every avenue to his heart; but he was now softened and completely subdued. There is something in sickness which breaks down the pride of manhood, and brings it to the feelings of infancy. Thus it was with Captain Cecil. He was like a child in the hands of his new friend, to whom he poured forth every secret of his soul, and received comfort from his heartfelt sympathy; while he was edified and made better by his true and unostentatious piety. He prayed with him, and his prayers were such as would have satisfied the most rigid Protestant, although they did flow from the lips of a Roman Catholic; while, with tact and excellent judgment, he avoided, in his religious conversations with the unhappy Englishman, all those controversial points or allusions which might offend the ear or heart of his auditor. His simple aim was to give comfort consonant with Christian principles; and it was balm to his kind heart to witness daily the effect of his goodness upon the noble being to whom he had been drawn by his warm and compassionate feelings. His kindness was as persevering as it was active; and he continued to watch over his charge with anxious tenderness, anticipating his wants, and providing for them.

Captain Cecil was no longer the despairing being he had been some time before; though dejected, he was resigned. "Gold is tried in the fire, an acceptable man in the furnace of adversity." Indeed, if we could bring our minds into a state of acquiescence under affliction, we should be happy; not only in spite of our worldly sorrows, but through them. The very idea that our trials are sent from above, and that we are under the immediate eye of God, would be deep and unfailing comfort under every tribulation. It is this conviction which would support us through. all our sorrows, and throw even a heavenly radiance over "the dark valley of the shadow of death."

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