his disrespectful passion, and when, in a transport of contempt and anger, I spurned him from me, he taunted me with that which I believed confined to the breast, as it had been engendered only in the suspicion, of my betrayer.  Oh! if it be dreadful to be falsely accused by those whom we have loved in intimacy, how much more so it to know that they have not had even the common humanity to conceal our supposed weakness from the world.  From that moment revenge took possession of my soul, and I swore that my destroyer should perish by the hand of her whose innocence and whose peace he had blasted for ever.”

“Shortly after this event,” resumed Matilda, “my base lover was ordered to join his Regiment then, stationed at Detroit.  A year passed away, and during that period, my mind pondered unceasingly on the means of accomplishing my purpose of revenge; and so completely did I devote myself to a cool and unprejudiced examination of the subject, that what the vulgar crowd term guilt, appeared to me plain virtue.  On the war breaking out, Major Montgomerie was also ordered to join the Regiment at Detroit, and thither I entreated him, to suffer me to accompany him.  He consented, for knowing nothing of the causes which had turned my love into gall, he thought it not improbable that a meeting with my late lover might be productive of a removal of his prejudices, and our consequent reunion.  Little did he dream that it was with a view to plunge a dagger into my destroyer’s false heart, that I evinced so much eagerness to undertake so long, and so disagreeable a journey.”

“Little more remains to be added,” pursued Matilda, as she fixed her dark eyes with a softened expression on those of Gerald, “since, with the occurrences at Detroit you are already sufficiently acquainted.  Yet there is one point upon which I would explain myself.  When I first became your prisoner, my mind had been worked up to the highest pitch of determination, and in my captor I at first beheld but an evil Genius who had interposed himself between me and my just revenge, when on the very eve of its consummation.  Hence my petulance and impatience while in the presence of your noble General.”

“And whence that look Matilda, that peculiar glance, which you bestowed upon me even within the same hour?”

Because in your frank and fearless mien I saw that manly honor and fidelity, the want of which had undone me; besides it flashed across my mind that daring, such as I have witnessed yours in the capture of our boat, might, if enlisted in my behalf, securely accomplish my revenge.

“Then, if so, why the cold, the mortifying reserve, you manifested when we met at dinner at my uncle’s table?”

“Because I had also recollected that, degraded as I was, I ought not to seek the love of an honorable man, and that to win you to my interest would be of no avail, as, separated by the national quarrel, you could not, by possibility, be near to aid me in my plans.”