CHAPTER XXII.
REVELATIONS.
GENERAL TRACY gave a long-drawn sigh: and tears--tears of true affection--stood in those most fish-like eyes, as he mournfully said, "Bless him, bless dear Charles, almost as much as you, my own sweet Emmy.

Heaven send it be true--for Heaven can work miracles.

But without a miracle, Emily, in sober sadness I declare it, you must forget--_your brother Charles, my daughter_!" Emily fell flat upon her face, so cold, so white, that he believed her dead.
Oh! that he had never--never said that word: or better still, poor father, that you had never kept the dreadful secret from them.

The adultery, indeed, was sin; but years of ill-concealings have multiplied its punishment.

Wretched father--wretched children! that must bear an erring father's curse.
Oh! that Jeanie Mackie may have reasons, proofs; and be not an impostor after all, dressing up a tale that over-sanguine Charles may bring her back again to Scotland.