Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/244

 first step was to know if the Countess Berniti was there; of this they were soon informed, she was, accompanied by the Count and Countess Marsilini. After much deliberation the Captain proposed waiting on the Count, telling him a lady just arrived from Tunis, requested the favor of seeing him, to enquire after some very particular friends and relations she had at Naples. This scheme was adopted and put into execution. The Count was surprised at the message, but curiosity carried him immediately to the hotel, and he was introduced to Matilda. He was extremely struck with her figure and appearance. She trembled, and for some moments was incapable of speaking; but endeavouring to collect fortitude from necessity, she thus addressed him, "The liberty I have taken in requesting the honour of seeing your Lordship here requires many apologies, but I am in a very singular and distressing situation. Will your Lordship permit me to ask you how long you have known the Countess Berniti?" The Count started at the question. "Almost from a child, madam; we were brought up in an intimacy from our youth." "You knew her unfortunate husband then, and his brother, (said she) and possibly may recollect it was supposed the infant daughter of the Countess died in convulsions?" "Supposed! (repeated he) good God! What can you mean, madam?" "To recall to your mind, sir, those circumstances, on the developing of which my future happiness depends. I see your surprise, my lord, and to elucidate my meaning, I must entreat the favor of you to peruse these papers, the confession of a dying man, once brother to the late Count Berniti." The Count took the papers with the most eager curiosity.

Matilda, affected with hopes, doubts and fears, could not suppress her tears: on this important moment her fate seemed suspended.

The Count made two or three exclamations, but when he came to the murder of his friend, he smote