Amid the various occurrences that had taken place since the decease of the Padre Grimaldi, he had entirely forgot to peruse the packet which he gave into his hands but a few minutes before his death.

That circumstance, however, now occurred to his recollection, and he determined to dedicate the following morning to the examination of those papers; in which, unfortunately, he had to learn more of the dark conduct of the late Marchese his father, and the circumstance that had so long spread a gloom over the countenance of Grimaldi; which had often made Ricardo conjecture was occasioned by

remorse

remorse for some horrible act he had committed.

The next morning Ricardo entered the apartment where the cabinet was in which he had deposited the papers, and securing himself from interruption, unfolded them, and read the following lines:

CHAP. VII.

TO RICARDO MARCHESE DE CARLENTINI

"AT length the long-dreaded hour is fast approaching; life will soon cease to flow in my veins, my heart beats with a slow and languid motion, my body is emaciated, and my strength

begins

begins to fail. Fatal symptoms of dissolution! Oh! how my soul recoils

with terror at the idea that when the link is broken which connects me to the world, when my soul wings its rapid flight, and trembling and confused stands before the tribunal of justice, what will it offer in extenuation of the dreadful crime it will be charged with? alas! what excuse can be made for a murderer?

"How often at the hour of midnight have I started from my restless couch, how often has my disturbed, imagination made me think I beheld, slow stalking through my chamber, the blood streaming

VOL. II

E

streaming from the side, the murdered

form of

As yet I am not able to name the victim of that accursed hour when I first embrued my hands in innocent blood. Marchese de Carlentini, thou wilt hear it too soon; let my body rest in the tomb, do not in thy just indignation leave it to be consumed by the scorching rays of the sun or the ravenous beasts of prey.

"Short is my tale, yet 'tis long ere I can summon resolution to begin it. I wish to supplicate for pardon ere I confess my guilt; I wish to tell what have been my sufferings, in order

to