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"not only to rob my master, who placed unbounded confidence in me, but I must also murder my beloved uncle! Oh! Milwood, revoke the cruel sentence you have passed; bid me not add murder to my long list of irrevocable crimes, and I will worship you for ever!"
"Away with this hypocritical whine, Barnwell," exclaimed Milwood; "have you so determined to break your resolutions of last night? Come, come, there is too much time lost already; the sun-beams have risen above the window, and you told me old Barnwell is an early man. Here is brandy—drink deep!—again, and yet again!"
Hurrying out of the house with the utmost trepidation, the unfortunate young man slunk through the streets, afraid to raise his eyes from the ground, least they might encounter some person who should claim acquantance. After walking for an hour, he espied a person coming across a field towards him, who he immediately recognized to be his uncle. At the first sight a secret horror chilled his blood; but the recollection of Milwood's words, aided dy the intoxicating fumes of the brandy which Milwood had plied him with, soon expelled the unwelcome sensation.
At length his unsuspecting benefactor entered near a clump of trees, and he resolved to intercept him. With this intention he increased his speed, keeping considerably to his right, till he
