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Vaudelier was close at hand. This was excellent, and he congratulated himself on the bright prospect before him. It was arranged that the doctor and his late patient should remain in the vicinity of Bellevue until the following day, when Vernon would convey Emily to her home. They were accordingly landed at the Red Church, and Vernon proceeded to New Orleans.
Emily perused the paper, which was a promise that Jaspar would restore all, and concluded with an earnest request for her to return to Bellevue with all possible haste. Emily recognized the signature, though it was apparently written by the trembling hand of a dying man. "The papers are quite satisfactory," said Dr. Vaudelier, as he completed the reading of the note from Jaspar.
Hatchie had scarcely done his work when Henry reached the library, and rescued Vernon from the hands of Jaspar. The contest was ended, and the victors and vanquished stood contemplating each other in mute astonishment. Dr. Vaudelier, who had followed Henry into the room, assisted Jaspar to rise, and conducted him to a chair.
There is a pleasure in doing one's duty, which is superior to every other gratification." "May I ask what prompted you to give such advice?" asked Dr. Vaudelier, incredulously. "The consciousness that my duty to this lady demanded it.
"I had one friend;" and she hesitated. "I fear he has perished." "Hope for the best!" replied the doctor, kindly. The blush, and then the change to the paleness of death, as Emily thought of Henry, first as the lover, and then as a mangled corpse had not escaped the notice of Dr. Vaudelier. He read in her varying color the relation they had sustained to each other.
After the departure of Dr. Vaudelier and Emily, Hatchie went to the cabin, and took therefrom a carpet-bag belonging to Maxwell, an article which, even in the hurry of his exit from the steamer, he had not omitted to take.
"Thank you, I will. But poor Mrs. Swinger!" and a shade of anxiety crossed her features, as she thought of leaving her kind hostess in affliction. "Her husband is a good nurse, and understands her case better than you do. If I mistake not, your services will be full as acceptable at my cottage." Dr. Vaudelier tried to smile at this sally; but the effort was too much for him, and he sank under it.
Like most men of their class in that locality, they were hardy and reckless; they had not that healthy horror of a mortal combat which the moralist would gladly see. Dr. Vaudelier had always been their friend; had always promptly and kindly aided them in their necessities, whether moral, physical, or pecuniary.
The young man returned to New Orleans, and became one of the most dissolute and abandoned characters of the city. Dr. Vaudelier disowned him, and sunk the deeper in his melancholy. The death of his wife left him alone with his daughter; and if the fatal influence of past years could have been removed, perhaps he might have been a happy man.
Neither the doctor nor Emily noticed the start, or the sudden change of expression; and the attorney, seemingly aware of the danger of wearing two faces, restored the former aspect. "I think he is entirely out of danger," replied Dr. Vaudelier, in reply to Emily's question. "Perhaps he will be able to accompany you in a few days."
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