. They were traversing a wide and open heath. The litter, being at
least a mile before them, was both out of sight and hearing. He looked behind,
and there was an expanse, lighted by the moonbeams, without one human being in
sight. He resumed his speech to Lambourne; »And will you turn upon your master,
who has introduced you to this career of court-like favour - whose apprentice
you have been, Michael - who has taught you the depths and shallows of court
intrigue?«
    »Michael not me!« said Lambourne; »I have a name will brook a master before
it as well as another; and as to the rest, if I have been an apprentice, my
indenture is out, and I am resolute to set up for myself.«
    »Take thy quittance first, thou fool!« said Varney; and with a pistol, which
he had for some time held in his hand, shot Lambourne through the body.
    The wretch fell from his horse, without a single groan; and Varney,
dismounting, rifled his pockets, turning out the lining, that it might appear he
had fallen by robbers. He secured the Earl's packet, which was his chief object,
but he also took Lambourne's purse, containing some gold pieces, the relics of
what his debauchery had left him, and, from a singular combination of feelings,
carried it in his hand only the length of a small river, which crossed the road,
into which he threw it as far as he could fling. Such are the strange remnants
of conscience which remain after she seems totally subdued, that this cruel and
remorseless man would have felt himself degraded had he pocketed the few pieces
belonging to the wretch whom he had thus ruthlessly slain.
    The murderer reloaded his pistol, after cleansing the lock and barrel from
the appearances of late explosion, and rode calmly after the litter, satisfying
himself that he had so adroitly removed a troublesome witness to many of his
intrigues, and the bearer of mandates which he had no intentions to obey, and
which, therefore, he was desirous it should be thought had never reached his
hand.
    The remainder of the journey was made with a degree of speed, which showed
the little care they had for the health of the unhappy Countess. They paused
only at places where all was under their command, and where the tale they were
prepared to tell of the insane Lady Varney would have obtained ready credit, had
she made an attempt to appeal to the compassion of the few persons admitted to
see her. But
