Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/153

 whole frame agitated, and could scarcely reach the sofa on which Elvira sat.

"Many minutes elapsed ere I could summon sufficient resolution to break the seal. I felt as if about to raise a veil which had hitherto concealed terrific images from my view, and shuddered at the idea of the horrors they might excite; at length I ventured to do so, and found several sheets of small paper within the envelope, all closely written, and in a hand entirely new to me. Elvira leaned over my shoulder, and together we began to peruse the following story."

Here Clermont paused; and, taking a manuscript from his pocket, he put it into the hand of his daughter, and desired her to read it to herself,

"When you have finished it, (said he) I will go on with my narrative."

Madeline bowed, and read as follows: