overpowered; what a determined, ferocious murder it was; the place is all
in a pool of gore; he must have received many wounds."

"I can't say; the particulars will be elicited soon enough; those details
are for the inquest; as for me, I hate such spectacles," said Marston,
gloomily; "go now, and see your sister; you will find her there."

He pointed to the small room where we have first seen her and her fair
governess; Charles obeyed the direction, and Marston proceeded himself to
his wife's sitting room.

The young man, dispirited and horrified by the awful spectacle he had
just contemplated, hurried to the little study occupied by his sister.
Marston himself ascended, as we have said, the great staircase leading to
his wife's private sitting room.

"Mrs. Marston," he said, entering, "this is a hateful occurrence, a
dreadful thing to have taken place here; I don't mean to affect grief
which I don't feel; but the thing is very shocking, and particularly so,
as having occurred under my roof; but that cannot now be helped. I have
resolved to spare no exertions, and no influence, to bring the assassin
to justice; and a coroner's jury will, within a few hours, sift the
evidence which we have succeeded in collecting. But my purpose in seeking
you now is, to recur to the conversation we yesterday had, respecting a
member of this establishment."

"Mademoiselle de Barras?" suggested the lady.

"Yes, Mademoiselle de Barras," echoed Marston; "I wish to say, that,
having reconsidered the circumstances affecting her, I am absolutely