Pagina 371 van 483

As Mr. Kirwin said this, notwithstanding the agitation I endured

on this retrospect of my sufferings, I also felt considerable

surprise at the knowledge he seemed to possess concerning me. I

suppose some astonishment was exhibited in my countenance, for

Mr. Kirwin hastened to say,

"Immediately upon your being taken ill, all the papers that were

on your person were brought me, and I examined them that I might

discover some trace by which I could send to your relations an

account of your misfortune and illness. I found several letters,

and, among others, one which I discovered from its commencement

to be from your father. I instantly wrote to Geneva; nearly two

months have elapsed since the departure of my letter. But you are

ill; even now you tremble; you are unfit for agitation of any

kind."

"This suspense is a thousand times worse than the most horrible

event; tell me what new scene of death has been acted, and whose

murder I am now to lament?"