Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/203

 place of residence, or life, to any one, I would murder both. The poor fellow swore faithfully to obey me. The rest she can inform you."

"But my child! my child! (cried the Countess, eagerly.) "Is alive, and an officer now in the Emperor's service." "Great God! I thank thee! (said she, falling on her knees,) and in this posture, when I return thanks to my Heavenly Father for his preservation, I also forgive and bless you, for the care of my child; may every evil deed be forgiven, and may you enjoy peace in your last moments, and everlasting happiness hereafter!"

The hard heart of the Count was softened into tears by the warmth of her expressions: he held out his hand, she kissed it in token of peace. "May your prayers be heard (said he,) but I have more vices yet to confess. I took the child to Vienna, brought it up, as the son of a friend, very privately. At a certain age he was placed in the military school, and about six months ago I procured for him a commission. But to return. Once in two years I generally visited the Castle. Her resignation and obedience to my orders sometimes moved me in her favour, and every visit my heart grew more and more softened; yet I dared not liberate her, her death had been so universally believed for many years; how could I account for my conduct, or her appearance, without incurring suspicions against myself? Distracted in my mind, I neither enjoyed peace nor rest;—alas! there is neither for the wicked, however we may disguise our crimes to the world—however we meet with respect and approbation from mankind, the man conscious of his wickedness, with doubt and terror gnawing at his heart, is the most miserable of human beings: we may swear to secresy, we may silence every thing but conscience—there is the sting that for ever wounds, there the monitor no bribes can suppress. Life became a burthen to me, yet I feared to die; I feared daily a discovery of my crimes; I resolved to forbear my visits, but to send Peter every six months, to