The Domina and
the Nuns admitted to the mystery, had latterly given me over entirely
to Camilla's care: In consequence, they busied themselves no more
about me; and occupied by preparing for the approaching Festival, it is
more than probable that I never once entered into their thoughts. Of
the reason of Camilla's negligence, I have been informed since my
release by the Mother St. Ursula; At that time I was very far from
suspecting its cause. On the contrary, I waited for my Gaoler's
appearance at first with impatience, and afterwards with despair. One
day passed away; Another followed it; The Third arrived. Still no
Camilla! Still no food! I knew the lapse of time by the wasting of my
Lamp, to supply which fortunately a week's supply of Oil had been left
me. I supposed, either that the Nuns had forgotten me, or that the
Domina had ordered them to let me perish. The latter idea seemed the
most probable; Yet so natural is the love of life, that I trembled to
find it true. Though embittered by every species of misery, my
existence was still dear to me, and I dreaded to lose it. Every
succeeding minute proved to me that I must abandon all hopes of relief.
I was become an absolute skeleton: My eyes already failed me, and my
limbs were beginning to stiffen. I could only express my anguish, and
the pangs of that hunger which gnawed my heart-strings, by frequent
groans, whose melancholy sound the vaulted roof of the dungeon
re-echoed. I resigned myself to my fate: I already expected the
moment of dissolution, when my Guardian Angel, when my beloved Brother
arrived in time to save me. My sight grown dim and feeble at first
refused to recognize him; and when I did distinguish his features, the
sudden burst of rapture was too much for me to bear. I was overpowered
by the swell of joy at once more beholding a Friend, and that a Friend
so dear to me. Nature could not support my emotions, and took her
refuge in insensibility.

You already know, what are my obligations to the Family of
Villa-Franca: But what you cannot know is the extent of my gratitude,
boundless as the excellence of my Benefactors. Lorenzo! Raymond!
Names so dear to me! Teach me to bear with fortitude this sudden
transition from misery to bliss. So lately a Captive, opprest with
chains, perishing with hunger, suffering every in convenience of cold
and want, hidden from the light, excluded from society, hopeless,
neglected, and as I feared, fo