Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/246

 She fortunately happened to be alone; he therefore related the whole story, read the papers, and spoke in raptures of Matilda's person, and engaging manners. Nothing could equal the astonishment of the Lady Marsillini. She anticipated the joy of her friend, yet was at a loss how to inform her of an event so entirely unexpected. They knew it must recall to her mind the horrid circumstances of her husband's murder, which neither time nor reason had ever reconciled her to support with any fortitude. "Yet, (said the Count) to recover such a child; to have a hold, a connexion in life so desirable and so unlooked for, must surely greatly overbalance the affliction of a painful remembrance, at least weakened, though not subdued.

They went to the apartment of the Countess. She was at her toilet. Her woman being dismissed, "Well Count, (asked she) have you seen the lady from Tunis,—is she a Turkish woman? "No, madam, she was brought up in Germany; she is a charming young creature, and you may be proud of the compliment (added he, smiling) when I assure you she very strongly resembles your ladyship." "You are very polite, my good friend, (answered she, in the same tone) but I am neither young nor handsome, and you say this lady is both;—but, pray, is she acquainted with any of our friends?" "Yes, but by name only; she has no personal knowledge of any one in Naples; she was very particular in her enquiries after you." "Of me! (said the Countess, surprised;) how could she know any thing of me?" "You remember the Chevalier N, who went abroad so many years since?" "Ah! (said she with a sigh) I do indeed remember him; is he alive.—does this lady belong to him?" "He is not living, (answered the Count, for Matilda permitted him to suppose he was dead, without asserting it;) this young lady was in some degree related to him, but I think more nearly so to your ladyship." "Heavens; my