Had a spectre risen up, arrayed in all the terrors of the
prison-house, he could not have exhibited more appalling symptoms of
unmitigated despair. He shuddered audibly. It was the very crisis of his
agony. A portentous silence ensued. Some minutes elapsed before it was
interrupted. Mr L---- was the first to break so disagreeable a pause.
"Mr S----, it is useless to carry on this scene of duplicity: neither
party would be benefited by it. _You have forged that deed!_ We have
sufficient evidence of your attempt to destroy this document I now hold,
in the very mansion which your unhallowed hands would, but for the
direct interposition of Providence, have levelled with the dust. On one
condition, and on one only, your conduct shall be concealed from the
knowledge of your fellow-men. The eye of Providence alone has hitherto
tracked the tortuous course of your villany. On one condition, I say,
the past is for ever concealed from the eye of the world." Another
pause. My uncle groaned in the agony of his spirit. Had his heart's
blood been at stake, he could not have evinced a greater reluctance than
he now showed at the thoughts of relinquishing his ill-gotten wealth.
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