Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/248

 senses only or if indeed I have a child?" "No, my dear lady, you are not deceived—we have told you truth." "Then, where is she? (cried the Countess, eagerly) let me see her—I die with impatience!" "Recover your spirits (answered the Count;) collect your fortitude, and I will immediately fetch her to your arms." "O, hasten! hasten! cried she, dissolving in tears, which they were glad to see. And the Count, with joy, flew to the hotel, where poor Matilda waited in all the agonies of suspence. "The discovery is made, my dear young lady; your mother is impatient to receive and bless you."

This intelligence, though so anxiously wished for, gave her inexpressible agitations; she got up and sat down, two or three times, without speaking, or being able to move; and at length, with trembling knees, was conveyed to the carriage, the Captain, at the request of the Count, accompanying them. When arrived at the house, and conducted to a room, she had a glass of wine to raise her spirits, whilst the Count announced her arrival. In a few minutes he returned, and took her hand. The Captain wished not to be present at the first interview. With a tremor through the whole frame she gave her hand; the door opened; she saw a lady at the top of the room, who appeared to be in tears. Matilda saw no more, she sprung from the Count, threw herself on her knees before her, and without uttering one word, sunk into insensibility. The friends hastened to her relief. The Countess sat stupid, gazing wildly on her, without moving. When Matilda's senses were a little restored she looked up, she exclaimed, "My Mother! O, have I a mother?" That word recalled the Countess to sense and feeling; she clasped her in her arms; "Blessed! blessed sound! (she cried) my child, my dearest daughter! heaven be thanked." She dropped on her knees and lifted her hands and eyes to heaven, then again embraced her child, whose soft and tender emotions were too powerful to admit of speech, nor is it possible to describe the tumultu-