"How the deep and damning infamy discovers itself!
Ah, Graspum, for the dross of this world hast thou betrayed the
innocent. Through thine emissaries has thus intercepted these
letters, and felt safe in thy guilt. And still you know not who I
am?" Indeed, the man-seller was too much beside himself with terror
to have recognised even a near friend. "My name is Lorenzo,--he who
more than twenty years ago you beguiled into crime. There is
concealed beneath those papers a bond that bears on its face the
secret of the many sorrows brought upon my family." "Lorenzo!"
interrupted Graspum, as he let fall a package of papers, and sat
aghast and trembling. "Yes," replied the other, "you cannot mistake
me, though time hath laid a heavy hand upon my brow. Now is your
infamy complete!" Here the stranger drew forth the identical bond we
have described in the early part of our history, as being signed by
Marston, at his mansion, on the night previous to Lorenzo's
departure. Bidding the man-seller move not an inch, he spread the
document before him, and commanded him to read the contents. This he
had not resolution to do. "Graspum!" spoke Lorenzo, his countenance
flushed in passion; "you can see, if you cannot read; look ye upon
the words of that paper (here he traced the lines with the
forefinger of his right hand as he stood over the wretched
miscreant) and tell me if it be honourable to spare the life of one
who would commit so foul a deed. On the night you consummated my
shame, forced me to relieve you by procuring my uncle's signature to
a document not then filled up, or made complete, how little did I
conjecture the germs of villainy so deep in your heart as to betray
the confidence I reposed in you.
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