Despard, the Spy: Or, The Fall of Montreal — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

58 DESPARD, THE 8PY. “ He might, indeed,” said Wilton; “ pray go on.” “ First rise and close that shutter, Wilton.” The young man rose to obey, threw open the window and put out his arm to draw in the shutter. As he did so his eyes encountered those of a man who was lounging down the street in the early morning. The man gave a start of surprise and quickened his pace. * Wilton closed the shutter and re- turned thoughtfully to the fire. He did not half like the man- ner of the fellow. Besides, there was something in> bis face which seemed familiar. But, if mischief hark been done, he could not hely it, and so sat down again to listen to the story. “T told you that Andrew Despard was born in France. The people with whom he lived and by whom be was edu- cated, loved him. His parents were persons of distinction, exiled from their native country for some political offense, but who had taken much wealth with them to France. The old man with whom he lived, Simon St. Ongé, was a friend of his father. The older Despard died two years after he came to France and left his wife and child to the care of his old friend. The lady, who had loved her husband dearly, soon followed him to the graye, and Andrew was left in the chateau de St. Ongé. “He was a generous youth in those days. His worst enemi¢s would not have denied him that. As he grew up, he became a proficient in the sword-exercise and in every manly art: Few of the youth of Normandy cared to cross weapons with him. He went to college, where he distinguished him- self ‘so much, that old St. Ongé loved him more and more. It was during his vacaiion that he met his fate. He loved the daughter of a neighboring gentleman. I do not intend to ful- low the whole course of that love affair. She was beautiful. He loved her as only such natures can love, and she returned his passion.. They were very happy. The time of his vaca- tion passed in idle dalliance, in walks and talks un@er the sheltering groves of Normandy until he must return to Heidelberg. His term passed and he came back. A. ser- pent ‘bad crept into the bosom of the St. Ongé :family.. He found vague tales to his discredit were being sown broadcast through the section. He traced them to a — man af his CORMCDOOKS.co