he and Jaspar both could not have her estates; but then Jaspar was a villain, and it would be a good service, at a convenient season, to be a traitor to him. His plans were arranged, and he determined to encourage his companion to proceed, though, at the same time, to seem unwilling, and to keep his own hands clean from all participation in it. After this long interval of silence, which Jaspar had endured with patience, for he recognized the truth of the saying, that "He who deliberates is damned," Maxwell said, "I cannot consent to stain my hands with such gross injustice." "You cannot!" sneered Jaspar. "It would ruin me." "It was part of my intention to keep the transaction a secret," said Jaspar, sarcastically. "Of course, and your confidence in me shall not be misplaced." Jaspar's fists were clenched, and a demoniacal expression rested on his countenance, as he said, savagely, "You know your own interest too well to do otherwise." "I am not to be intimidated," replied Maxwell, who despised his companion most heartily, and did not relish his tyrannical manner. "Your confidence, I repeat, is safe. _Honor_ will keep your secret,--threats will not compel me to do so." "_Honor_! ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Jaspar. "Do you know, Maxwell, that you are a ---- fool, to talk to me of your honor?" "Would you insult me, sir?" said, Maxwell, with vehemence. "O, no, my fine fellow! _Your_ honor!--ha, ha!" returned Jaspar, taking from his pocket a little slip of paper. "Look here, my _honorable_ worthy, do you know this check?" Maxwell's face assumed a livid hue, and a convulsive tremor passed through his frame, as he read the check. In a moment of temporary embarrassment he had been tempted to forge the name of Colonel Dumont to this check, for five hundred dollars, to liquidate a debt of honor, not doubting that he should be able to obtain it again before the day of settlement at the bank, by means of a dissolute teller, a boon companion at the gaming-table. But Colonel Dumont, in arranging his affairs for their final settlement, had sent Jaspar for a statement of his bank account at an unusual time. Jaspar, who, in the illness of his brother, had managed all his business,