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 honour of Lausane (said he), you are guilty of the greatest injustice; no nature can be more noble, more pure than his; and I am confident he would sooner lose his life than harm me.'

"Oh, Philippe!" I groaned aloud.

"The monk looked earnestly at me. 'You are ill my son,' said he.

"Dear father (cried I), do not mind me; I am all impatience for you to go on."

'About the time you were married to Lady Geraldine, the Count beheld a prospect of an increase to his felicity; Elenora was with child. In pursuance of the Earl's advice, it was settled that when the period for her confinement arrived, your brother, pretending illness, should invite you to see him, and keep you away till she was recovered. It was also settled, that the child should be nursed at a neighbouring cottage, and when weaned, be brought back to the castle as the deserted orphan of some poor peasant.