"The apparition was effected by means of a convex mirror; the vision which you wanted to embrace, was nothing else but the image of a statue of your tutor, which was reflected on the spot where it appeared by a mirror placed before that statue."
"But how did it happen that the mirror escaped my observation?"
"You will recollect that the vision appeared not far from the chapel, behind the wall of which the mirror was placed in such a manner that it could not be perceived by you."
"And Antonio"s statue?"
"You would have observed it if the sight of the apparition had not engrossed your whole attention; however, its having been painted white like the rest of the statues in the church-yard, probably would have induced you to mistake it for the statue of some saint or other, and thus it would not have attracted your attention."
"But how could the apparition disappear and re-appear at my desire?"
"That was not difficult. One of my people, who directed the mirror through one of the church windows, removed it when the vision disappeared, and replaced it again in its proper situation when you desired the phantom to appear once more."
"But if I had discovered the artifice?--"
"Don"t you believe that I had taken the necessary precaution? Even if you had seen the mirror, yet you would not have discovered its effect.
I was, however, pretty sure that you would not enter into an examination, being well aware that you would have no inclination of doing it, because I had desired you to make every investigation you should wish, and thus prompted you to believe that I apprehended no discovery."
"However, the phantom spoke, how could that be?"
"Not the phantom, but Count Clairval, who was in the gallery of the chapel, spoke through a speaking trumpet. The direction of the trumpet, and the striking resemblance the phantom bore to your tutor, induced you to attribute the words which he p.r.o.nounced to the vision."
"Hiermanfor," said I after a pause, "then your last miracle too was a delusion?"
"You have my confession."
"And nevertheless you a.s.sured me so solemnly that it was the work of super-natural power!"
"I did so; but I intended to recant after the end which I had in view should have been attained. Unforeseen incidents prevented me from doing it sooner."
"Why did not Count Clairval recant in your name, when I entreated him so solemnly and so pressing to confess the fraud?"
"He had received no orders to that purpose."
"You promised me, one time, to initiate me in a new philosophy, and to introduce me to an happiness that is concealed from other mortals."
"Then I promised you what I am not able to perform. Without circ.u.mlocution, I imposed upon you!"
"And you have the courage to tell me this to my face?"
"I have spoken the truth, and hope you will forgive me. Yes, I have deceived you, and the success of the revolution depended chiefly upon that innocent fraud. I deceived you because--forgive me my frankness--because you would be deceived."
"Your morality agrees pretty well with your policy."
"I am astonished," the Irishman replied with a contemptuous smile, "that _you_ presume to call my morality in question; the clangor of these fetters contrasts very much with your moral speeches."
"Scarcely able to retain my rising indignation, I replied, "But if I could prove that this innocent fraud, as you please to call it, has been the chief cause of my crime, of these fetters, and of my impending execution!"
"Heaven forbid it!" the Irishman exclaimed, seized with terror.
"You have excited by your delusions my propensity to miraculous events.
The explanation of your deceptions did not at all destroy the dangerous effect they produced on my mind, because I never was able to recover entirely from the erroneous opinion that the apparition of the church-yard had been the effect of supernatural power. An infernal impostor took advantage of the situation of my mind, and incited me through new delusions to engage in the undertaking that has been the cause of these fetters. Are you now sensible of the injury I have suffered through you?"
"The Irishman grew pale, and seemed deprived of the power of utterance.
At once he recovered from his sudden terror, and started up. "Whither are you going?" I exclaimed. "To the King!" he replied. "What business have you with the King?" I enquired. "I am going to implore him to spare your life, and to set you at liberty. Forgive me, unfortunate young man!
(he added) forgive me! I will exert every power of persuasion for the preservation of your life." So saying, he left me, and I have not seen him since. I must patiently await the effect of his application.
Farewell! my friend, farewell! I am not afraid of leaving this world, for Amelia is dead, Antonio is no more, and alas! my father too will be condemned to die. However, the idea of dying branded with ignominy, thrills me with terror and desponding agony. Gracious Heaven, ward off this dreadful blow, if it be possible!"
Hesitating between hope and fear, I awaited the day which was to decide the fate of my hapless friend. It arrived.
My melancholy tale draws nearer towards its conclusion! why does my hand tremble thus? why do these tears start from my eyes? what means this dreadful agony that almost breaks my heart? Alas! thy doom is fixed, ill-fated victim of delusion!
The judges who were to decide the fate of the conspirators met, and decreed that the Marquis of Villa Re*l and the Duke of Ca*ina, should be beheaded as rebels against the King, whose authority they had acknowledged with the rest of the states of the empire, and the other conspirators hanged and quartered. The punishment of the Primate and the Grand Inquisitor was left to the decision of the King.
(To be concluded in our next.)
ANECDOTES.
A wild young fellow was going abroad: His mother took him up into her closet, telling him she had a precious treasure to deposit in his hands, and after many grave admonitions produced the Bible, handsomely bound in two volumes; and, to crown all, advised him to consult and search the scriptures. Little did the youth know how precious the volumes were; but you shall hear. On his return from sea, the old lady one day took him aside, and hoped he had remembered the last injunction she had given him: "Yes, he could very honestly say he had taken care of the Bible."
To prove his respect and obedience, he runs up stairs to his own room, and returns instantly, with the two volumes safe and sound.
The good lady pulls off one cover: "Rather too clean, my dear."
"O madam, I took great care of them: the second volume is equally fair."
She shakes her head; intimating her suspicions that they had not been read so often as she wished: Then opens the first volume, and, lo! a ten pound bank note is found: the second volume displays a second note, and of twice the value. She was confounded; and so was her son: And I know no man, of my acquaintance, who more sincerely regrets that he did not _search the scriptures_.
A man having hurt his forehead, was advised to rub it with brandy. Some days after being asked if he had done so? answered, "I have tried several times, but can never get the gla.s.s higher than my mouth."
_From an ENGLISH MAGAZINE._
ORIGIN OF THE SPENCER.
Being a Sequel to the Story of the Bottle-Conjuror.
On my arrival in town for the season, my eyes every where in the streets encountered a phenomenon which I could not account for: namely, men walking in great coats, the TAILS of which were CUT OFF close to the body!--The first person I met in this garb being rather of a mean appearance otherwise, I set it down to the account of convenience, and recollected the proverb of, _half a loaf being better than no bread_.
But when I saw numbers of gentlemen decorated with this ABRIDGMENT of a coat, many of whom to my personal knowledge, could afford a whole coat, once a week if they chose, I was totally at a loss to account for the grotesque appearance they made. Surely, thought I, this cannot be voluntary.
On consulting, however, a friend, who always resides in the metropolis and is a close observer of modes and manners, he solved all my doubts.