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 olate the secrets thus disclosed. Even without the necessity of publishing his guilt to the world, I was impressed with the belief that your powerful mind would have devised some means to stop his frightful career, and to liberate Madelon and myself from his tyranny; though, what means could be taken, my mind was too confused even to conjecture. Still I had the most implicit confidence that you could assist us. It is needless to repeat how my plans that night were frustrated; though I tried every means that I thought could force Martiniere to admit me into your presence; but I did not give up hopes of finding a better opportunity.

"All of a sudden, however, Cardillac seemed entirely to have lost the cheerfulness and good humor which he had lately assumed. He went about from room to room, silent and gloomy, with his eyes staring on vacancy; threw out his arms as if demons and spectres were actually assailing him; and it was obvious that his mind was beset with some wicked temptations. One morning, in particular, he had continued for hours together in this disordered mood; at length he seated himself at his work-table, as if he would begin the usual task of the day—but had no sooner taken his place than he started up again and exclaimed, in a deep hollow tone, 'I wish from my heart that Henrietta of England had lived to wear my jewels!' These words inspired me with the utmost horror; for I well knew that his mind was laboring under the same influence which had led him into his former crimes, and that the voice of Satan was again audible in his ears. I saw your life threatened by the reckless assassin, but at the same time was perfectly aware that if he only had the jewels again in his hands, you might be spared. Cardillac watched me so narrowly, that I durst scarcely be a moment out of his sight: however, I had intended, at all risks, to go to your house, when one morning I luckily met you on the Pont Neuf, forced my way to your carriage, and threw into it that billet, which I had, ready written, and in which I conjured you to give back the casket into Cardillac's hands. You never