" He was unwilling to risk
the bright prospects, which had so suddenly opened upon him, on the
tenth point. Fearing that Jaspar's unscrupulous character would enable
him to defeat the heiress, he had not the courage to do his duty and
trust Heaven for the reward.
With this view of his position, he reluctantly--we will do him the
justice to say reluctantly--abandoned the project of restoring the niece
to her birthright. Thus was the great purpose of his life narrowed down
to one point, and he retired to his pillow to consider in what manner he
should approach Jaspar.
Simple as this single point had before appeared, he found, on
reflection, that it was environed with difficulties and dangers. Jaspar
was intrenched in his own castle, and it would require some address even
to approach near enough to hold a parley. Conclusive as were the
evidences in his possession of Jaspar's perfidy, they might, by the aid
of cunning and gold, be made to appear as forgeries, gotten up for the
purpose of extorting money. The stake was a great one, and he determined
with a bold hand to play the game.
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