Pagina 652 di 1118

He kept his eyes for a few moments fixed on the Unknown, as if to

read his thoughts; and imagining he perceived in his dark and

troubled features something corresponding to the hope he had

conceived, "Oh!" cried he in an animated voice, "what a welcome

visit is this! and how I ought to thank you for it, although it

fills me with self-reproach."

"Reproach!" cried the Unknown, in astonishment; but he felt

re-assured by his manner, and the gentleness of his words, and he

was glad that the cardinal had broken the ice, and commenced the

conversation.

"Certainly, it is a subject of self-reproach that I should have

waited till you came to me! How many times I might, and ought to

have sought you!"

"You! seek me! Do you know who I am? Have they told you my name?"