I charge thee, fling away ambition;
By that sin fell the angels; how can man then
(The image of his Maker) hope to win by it?
Corruption gains not more than honesty.
Shakspeare.
Among the victims whom the crimes and fears of Lord Bellingham made
supremely wretched, we must rank his amiable and repentant son, who,
languishing to cleanse his house from the foul stain of usurpation, had
long resolved to do justice to his injured uncle, and to relinquish his
surreptitious honours to Eustace, anticipating the friendship of that
noble youth, and the hand of Isabel as the best rewards he could
receive. No bridal transport, no yearnings of grateful friendship, no
cordial thrill of conscious integrity now cheered the gloom of his
future prospects. The father had sinned beyond all possibility of the
son's atoning for his crimes. Was it possible for Colonel Evellin or
Constantia to bear his sight? Could Isabel ever plight her faith to the
son of her brother's murderer? These agonizing forebodings were soon
confirmed by the receipt of the following letter:--
"Dear Arthur,
"It is impossible for me to leave the secret chamber to bid you
farewel. I can sometimes tranquillize my father. I trust in heaven
his life will be preserved, and his reason restored. I know you
are innocent, and I know too that I shall always love you; but my
heart forebodes we must meet no more in this world. I do not bid
you forget me--No; I will implore your daily prayers, for I have
great need of patience and fortitude. Solicit for me earnestly at
the throne of grace, and thus shew your affection to