poudre de succession,' was specially designed for the use of those
who wished to remove an inconvenient relative."

This time the countess was silent; her brow contracted, and she
shivered perceptibly.

An involuntary cry burst from the lips of her son, which recalled
her to a sense of her imprudence.

"What ails you?" asked she, abruptly. "Have you seen a ghost, that
you cry out in a voice so unearthly?"

"Yes, mother, I have seen a ghost--the ghost of my father! "And
while the countess grew pale, and her eyes dilated with fear, her
unhappy son sank upon his knees before her, and clasped his hands
with agony of apprehension.

"Mother, have mercy on me, and forgive me if, in the anguish of my
writhing soul, I ask you whether you are innocent of my father's
death?"

"Has any one dared to accuse me?" asked she, with a scowl.

"Ay! And so publicly, that men spoke of it together as I passed them
in the streets to-day. Need I say that I was ready to die of grief
as I heard the epithet of murderess applied to the mother who to me
has been the ideal of beauty, goodness, and excellence, which my
heart has worshipped to the exclusion of all other loves! My brain
was on fire as I dashed through the scornful crowd, and made my way
to you, mother, here to look upon your dear face, and read in your