"The young Lady refuses to see you; she denies that you have any authority over her; bids you remember the dreadful circumstances lately passed, and never presume to trouble her more. The letter she left for you sufficiently explained her sentiments: Her child is with her, but it has no longer a father, nor after this day will any messages from you be received or delivered here."
"Barbarous woman!" exclaimed Ferdinand, "ungrateful and unjust! Would she but explain herself with openness and candour, I could submit to the 'dreadful circumstances' she alludes to; but this silence, this mystery, and my child too! 'It has no longer a father!' Just Heaven, how am I punished!"
"I am sorry for you," said the porteress; "but I cannot help you. Night is drawing on; a short distance to the left is a convent of Friars, there you may be accommodated for the night; but return no more here, for it avails nothing to complain where you cannot be heard." She shut the grate, and
