The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

TIHE SECRET WITNESS.

253

counted me a madman or deceiver; now I am come to
witness the fulfilment of my words and the completion
of your destiny. To rescue you I have not come: that
is not within the compass of human powers.
"Poor Constantia," he continued, in tones that manifested genuine sympathy, "look upon thyself as lost.
The toils that beset thee are inextricable. Summon up
thy patience to endure the evil. Now will the last and
heaviest trial betide thy fortitude. I could weep for
thee, if my manly nature would permit. This is the
scene of thy calamity, and this the hour."
These words were adapted to excite curiosity mingled
with terror. Ormond's deportment was of an unexampled tenor, as well as that evil which he had so
ambiguously predicted. HIe offered no protection from
danger, and yet gave no proof of being himself an agent
or auxiliary. After a minute's pause, Constantia, recovering a firm tone, said,"Mr. Ormond, your recent deportment but ill accords
with your professions of sincerity and plain dealing.
What your purpose is, or whether you have any purpose, I am at a loss to conjecture. Whether you most
deserve censure or ridicule, is a point which you afford
me not the means of deciding, and to which, unless on
your own account, I am indifferent. If you are willing
to be more explicit, or if there be any topic on which
you wish further to converse, I will not refuse your
company to Laffert's dwelling. Longer to remain here
would be indiscreet and absurd."
So saying, she motioned towards the door. Ormond
was passive, and seemed indisposed to prevent her de*
parture, till she laid her hand upon the lock. He then,
without moving from his place, exclaimed," Stay! Must this meeting, which fate ordains to be
the last, be so short? Must a time and place so suitable
for what remains to be said and done be neglected or
misused? No. You charge me with duplicity, and deem
my conduct either ridiculous or criminal. I have stated
my reasons for concealment, but these have failed to
convince you. Well, here is now an end to doubt. All
ambiguities are preparing to vanish."