The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

2 68 Fhe Highland MontJily.
and I started for home. I arrived in England four months
ago, and from secret enquiries discovered Dillon to be in
Scotland. I then understood the object he had in seeking
to deprive me of life, and I determined to remain unknown,
even to my dearest friends, until I had a fitting opportunity
of unmasking his treachery and denouncing him to the
world. A month ago I stood face to face with him though
he knew me not, and when he exultingly said in my hear-
ing, ' a month to-da}- and Mary Murray shall be my bride,'
I told him that a month to-day Mary Murray would be a
bride, but not the bride of Edward Dillon. Mary Murray
\\'as m}' promised bride, and would have been mine long
ago had not his black heart sought my destruction. Her
heart is mine now as much as -it was in the days that have
gone ;
and
though the circumstances under which we meet
to-day are strange, yet there is nothing in them which
should prevent our union being consummated. That man
who, to all intents and purposes, was a murderer, shall
witness the ceremon}- ;
inflict upon him. Revenge I do not seek ;
it is the only punishment I wish to
for, when a man
revenges himself upon his enemy, he makes him his equal."
A murmur of approbation ran through the company, and
all awaited Mary Murray's decision. She stood silent and
absorbed for a short space, then, drawing an engagement
ring from her finger, she cast it on the ground saying:— " It
is the only present I ever accepted from him." She then
intimated her willingness that the ceremon}- should proceed.
When the service was over, Arthur turned to Dillon and
said :— " Edward Dillon, go from this place. In the inter-
ests of justice m)' dut}- would be to hand thee over to the
public prosecutor, but knowing that thy crime will forbid
thee again entering society, I know that the anguish and
remorse which will sear thy soul will be greater than if thou
wert confined to the deepest dungeon." Dillon, being
released, staggered away without uttering a word, and they
saw him no more.