them." "All this preparation terrifies me; I will take any thing, but pray be explicit at once." "Then, my dear lady, bear the joyful recital, I am about to give you with resolution."
He took up the story, at a French vessel, captured by the Corsair, and a gentleman on board, attempting to destroy himself and a lady, described the subsequent events, and then began the narrative. When in his address to Matilda, he said, "The Count Berniti was your father," the Countess started from her chair, "Gracious God! what do I hear; but no,—I can have no interest in it." She was silent. He proceeded, whilst she hung her head, drowned in tears at the mention of her husband whose death he slightly passed over) till he came to the circumstance of the children. She gave a shriek, and throwing her arms around her friend "If this is true, great God! if this is true, I may yet have a child. "O! say, (cried she looking wildly at him) tell me at once, have
