I had long ceased to feel a sentiment of any great
regard for the Conways; but at the intelligence of George's sudden
death, all my old friendship had revived--the old kindly feeling came
back; pity banished all enmity. I thought of his former love for me,
and I determined to do all that remained in my power to show my
sympathy--attend his funeral among those who mourned him.
"Well, the body was borne to the grave, the service read, and the
remains of the unfortunate gentleman deposited in their last
resting-place. Then the clods rattled on the coffin, the service ended,
and George Conway had passed away from all eyes.
"I looked at his poor wife and brother with tears in my eyes. All my
enmity was gone--my memory went back to the old scenes; at that instant
I could have reached out my arms, and drawn the bereaved brother to my
heart, mingling my tears with his own.
"All at once, however, I looked at Judge Conway with astonishment. I
had expected to see him overwhelmed with grief--but as he now raised
his head, and turned in the direction of the spot where I was standing,
I saw that his features were convulsed with wrath. His cheeks were
crimson, his teeth clenched, his eyes injected with blood. Suddenly
these bloodshot eyes met my own--the cheeks a moment before so red,
grew pale--and exclaiming, 'It is you who murdered my brother!' he
threw himself upon me with the fury of a wild animal, and his fingers
were nearly buried in my throat.
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