Heaven alone, and the revealing earth, are the witness against him!"
"Your father!"—said Madeline, staggering back—"my lost uncle! Nay,—now I know, indeed, what a shadow has appalled us all! Did you know my uncle, Eugene?—Did you ever even see Geoffrey Lester?"
"Never, as I believe, so help me God!"—said Aram, laying his hand on his heart. "But this is idle now,"—as recollecting himself, he felt that the case had gone forth from Walter's hands, and that appeal to him had become vain.
"Leave us now, dearest Madeline; my beloved wife that shall be, that is!—I go to disprove these charges—perhaps I shall return to-night. Delay not my acquittal, even from doubt—a boy's doubt. Come, Sirs."
"O Eugene! Eugene!" cried Madeline, throwing herself on her knees before him—"Do not order me to leave you now—now, in the hour of dread—I will not. Nay, look not so! I swear I will not! Father, dear father, come and plead for
