My
brother's death had been witnessed by two individuals; indeed, I
always had an impression that it was witnessed by more than one,
having some faint recollection of hearing voices and challenges
close beside me; and this woman had searched about until she
found these people; but, as I shrewdly suspected, not without the
assistance of the only person in my secret--my own warm and
devoted friend. I say this, because I found that he had them
concealed in the neighbourhood, and then took me again and
again where I was fully exposed to their view, without being
aware. One time in particular, on pretence of gratifying my
revenge on that base woman, he knew so well where she lay
concealed that he led me to her, and left me to the mercy of two
viragos who had very nigh taken my life. My time of residence at
Dalcastle was wearing to a crisis. I could no longer live with my
tyrant, who haunted me like my shadow; and, besides, it seems
there were proofs of murder leading against me from all quarters.
Of part of these I deemed myself quite free, but the world deemed
otherwise; and how the matter would have gone God only knows,
for, the case never having undergone a judicial trial, I do not.
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