Horace D’Almayne had absconded with a considerable sum of money in his possession, and all attempts to trace him failed. His less fortunate coswindler (if we may coin a word), Guillemard, became practically acquainted with the interior of a British prison, and the amenities of hard labour. All that transpired in regard to D’Almayne’s further career was, that some years after he was connected with a kindred spirit in conducting a notorious gambling house in New Orleans; a quarrel ensuing between Sedgwick (for so was his partner named) and D’Almayne, the latter gave his antagonist a practical lesson as to the advisability of studying the habits and customs of the natives before you settle in a country, by discharging the contents of his revolver into his ribs. Unfortunately for society, the wound did not prove fatal but not choosing to wait the result, D’Almayne again made himself invisible; he was last heard of at the head of a band of very questionable individuals, who were proceeding to the diggings to procure gold, whether by fair means or foul, history sayeth not.
Lord Alfred Courtland, warned by the disastrous results of his attempt to become a fast “man-about-town,” contented himself for the future by fulfilling his duties as a high-born gentleman, and if he ever did anything at all likely to disgrace his noble order, it was by the obstinate determination he evinced to marry none other than Emily Hazlehurst; but “a wilful man must have his way,” and eventually, after much useless opposition from his patrician papa, Lord Alfred had his.
Of Harry and Alice we need say no more; perfectly happy in each other’s affection (which, warned by the past, they never again suffered their faults or foibles to endanger), theirs was a joy, to which only hearts, true, pure, and simple as their own can ever attain.
And what of Arthur Hazlehurst? Kate, his first, his only love, was again free!—true she had erred deeply, but had she not repented more deeply, and worked out her penitence during long years of trial and of suffering? She was free! would wounded pride prevent him from taking the only step which could ensure his happiness and her own? or should “Love be still the lord of all?” Those only who have suffered and loved as he had done can be competent to decide,—and in their hands we leave the matter!