Before the session ended, we were married
in an obscure church in the City, with no one
present but the clerk and the pew-opener. We
spent the few following days at a small inn,
in a fishing village. Then I had to leave town
and carry out the plan I had proposed. I left
my wife in lodgings, under an assumed name,
at a town within forty miles of our residence.
I had some time previously persuaded my
uncle to let me take a lease from Lord
Mardall of some untouched mineral ground, on
very favourable terms, in a wild, thinly
peopled district, which was only visited by the
gentry for field sports. This afforded me an
excuse for being away from home one or two
days every week.

Not far from the mines was the remains of
a forest, and coverts abounding in game. In
a little sloping dell, one of the Lord Mardall's
ancestors had built a small shooting lodge, and
one of the keepers in charge had planted
there fruit trees, and ornamental trees, for
which he had a taste, being the son of a
gardener. On this wild nest, miles away from any
other residence, I had fixed my mind. It was
half in ruins, and there was no difficulty in
obtaining possession. With money and workmen
at my command, very soon a garden
smiled, and a fountain bubbled at Orchard
Spring; roses and climbing plants covered
the steep hill side, and the small stone cottage
was made, at a slight expense, a wonder of
comfort. The cage being ready, I brought
my bird there. The first months were all
joy, all happiness. My uncle only complained
that I had lost my jovial spirits.

I counted every day until the day when I
could mount my horse and set off for the new
mines. Five and twenty miles to ride over a
rough mountain road; two fords to cross,
often swelled by winter rains; but day or
night, moonlight or dark, I dashed along,
pressing too often my willing horse with loose
rein up and down steep hills; all lost in love
and anxious thought I rode, until in the
distance the plashing sound of the mountain
torrent rolling over our garden cascade, told me
I was near my darling.

My horse's footsteps were heard, and
before I had passed the avenue the door flew
open, the bright fire blazed out, and Laura
came forward to receive me in her arms.

I had begged her to get everything she
might require from London, and have it sent,
to avoid all suspicion, to the nearest port, and
then brought by her own servant, a country
clown, with a horse and cart; and I had given
her a cheque book, signed in blank. After
a time I saw signs of extravagance; in furniture,
in dress, but especially in jewels. I
remonstrated gently, and was met first with
tears, then sullen fits. I learned that Laura
had a temper for which I was quite unprepared.

The ice was broken; no more pleasant
holidays at Orchard Spring. The girl, once so
humble, now assumed a haughty, jealous air;
every word was a cause of offence; I never
came when wanted or stayed as long as I was
required; half my time was spent in scenes of
reproach, of tears, hysterics, lamentations;
peace was only to be purchased by some costly
present. Our maid servant, a simple country
girl, stood amazed; the meek angel had
become a tigress. I loved her still, but feared
her; yet even love began to fail before so
much violence. A dreadful idea began slowly
to intrude itself into my mind. Was she tired
of me? Was her story of her life true? Had
she ever loved me? The next time that I
made up my banker's book, I was shocked to
find that, in the short time since my last
remonstrance, Laura had drawn a large sum of
money. I lost no time in galloping to Orchard
Spring. She was absent. Where was she?
No one knew. Severe cross-examination
brought out that she had been away two
days; I had not been expected that week. I
thought I should have choked.

In the midst I heard the steps of her horse.
She came in and confronted me. Looking
most beautiful and most demoniacal, she defied
me; she threatened to expose me to my uncle;
declared she had never loved me, but had taken
me for a home. At length her frenzy rose to
such a height, that she struck me. Then all
the violent pent-up rage of my heart broke
out. I know not what passed, until I found
myself galloping furiously across the mountain
ridge that divided the county. Obliged
to slacken my pace in passing through a ford,
some one spoke to me; how I answered I
know not. Whatever it was, it was a mad
answer.

I listened to nothing, and pressed on my
weary steed until just before reaching the
moorland, when, descending into a water-
course, he fell on his head, throwing me over
with such force, that for some time I lay
senseless. I came to myself to find my poor
horse standing over me dead lame. I led
him on to the inn door, and knocked. It
was midnight, and I was not readily
admitted. The landlord, when he saw me,
started back with an explanation of horror.
My face and shirt were covered with blood.

Worn-out, bruised, and exhausted by
fatigue and passion, I slept. I was rudely
awakened, and found myself in the custody
of two constables. Two mounted
gamekeepers, and Lord Mardall, had followed and
traced me to the inn.

"On what charge?" I asked amazed.

"For murder," said Lord Mardall.

"The lady at Orchard Spring," said one
of the gamekeepers.

I was examined before magistrates; but
was unable to give any coherent answers;
and was committed to the county jail. My
uncle remitted me a sum of money for my
defence, and desired never to see me again.

I will give you a description of my trial
from the newspapers.

The prisoner had clandestinely married