1830.] The Warning Voice. 409 



streaming eyes turned to the sympathising Herbert, who, scarcely less a 

 mourner than herself, was overwhelmed with amazement and anguish at 

 the catastrophe "was it well thus to sport with the affliction of a heart- 

 broken wife?" 



" Trust me, fair one," replied the minister, in a voice tremulous from 

 age, but more so from emotion " of such conduct I am incapable, and 

 at this moment, even, I know not what has fortuned." 



" Unfold it all," cried Isabel, addressing herself to Sidney ; " but if 

 he still live, let me go to him." 



" With aching heart," said the colonel, " I obey. Arrived at the place 

 of execution, the gallant old general shed tears of joy at remarking 

 the intrepid bearing of Vernon. ' Firmness like this/ he whispered, 

 ' entitles him to immortal glory ;' and his heart glowed with exulta- 

 tion at the thought, that instead of giving the signal of death, it would 

 be his duty to produce the royal pardon." 



"And then and then why was it not produced ?" 



"It had been ordered that the men should reserve their fire till a 

 white handkerchief waived, a signal which they were not to behold at 

 all. The preparations were complete, the last word of command had 

 been given, when the general drew from his bosom the pardon. The 

 delight he experienced at displaying the paper, which was to save his 

 young friend, caused him to produce it with a flourish of triumph. 

 Unhappily this was mistaken for the signal, and and " 



" My Vernon perished !" sighed Isabel. 



Sidney described the anguish of the general, at learning the fatal 

 mistake, but Isabel heard him not. Her tears had ceased to flow her 

 eyes were fixed for now they rested on Vernon himself, who, sustained 

 by two of his friends, was borne into the apartment. His eyes were 

 still bright, but the ghastly hue of his countenance, told more than even 

 the blood, which flowed from his breast and throat, that but a 

 moment intervened between him and eternity. 



Pale and breathless, Isabel approached him. He faintly extended 

 his hand, to receive her touch, but his eyes closed, as if the feeble effort 

 had exhausted the last remains of life. 



" Speak to me," she exclaimed, " let me hear thy voice once more." 



" Beloved Isabel !" Vernon murmured, "I I " Here his voice failed. 

 The wretched wife listened for the close of the sentence ; he was silent. 

 A dreadful doubt came over her a more appalling certainty suc- 

 ceeded a certainty that she was a widow. 



" He is no more \" sobbed Isabel ; " and I am the author of his 

 death." 



She clasped the mangled and bleeding remains of Vernon, and 

 remained motionless. When the bystanders separated her from the 

 corse, she uttered no cry she shed no tear she made no sign of woe, 

 but a composure was stamped upon her countenance more fearful than 

 anguish, more terrible than despair. The cry of her infant, which was 

 brought to her, produced a momentary convulsion. It indicated recog- 

 nition, and told that the ear of the mother was still alive to the cry of 

 her offspring, though reason had fled for ever. The good Herbert 

 essayed, but in vain, to administer the consolations of religion. 



Looking on the hopeless desolation before him, he reverted to his 

 former warning, and mournfully repeated 



" Brief is the date of human happiness ; and they who boast that 

 felicity is theirs, should evermore be prepared for an awful change !" 



M.M. New Series. VOL. IX. No. 52. 3 G 



