ome time, when it was discovered. Her
lover had been way-laid and murdered by her relations, and she had been
thrown into a convent. There she had been confined, and the child
removed as soon as it was born: she had resisted all the force and
threats employed to induce her to take the veil; and at the death of her
father had been released and came into possession of her property, of
which they could not deprive her: that she made every endeavour to find
out to where her child had been removed, and at last discovered that it
had been sent to the Foundling Asylum; but this information was not
obtained until some years afterwards, and all the children sent there at
the period had been dispersed. Never having married, her thoughts would
revert to the scenes which had taken place with her adored Felix,
although years had rolled away, and she felt that she was wrong to dwell
upon what in itself had been so criminal.

I listened to her story with great interest, for the idea occurred to
me, that I might be the unfortunate offspring of their loves, and if
not, that in all probability the old lady might be induced so to
believe. I inquired whether her child had any marks by which he could
be recognised. She answered, that she made most particular inquiries of
the people who attended her, and that one of the women had stated that
the child had a large wart upon the back of its neck: this however was
not likely to remain, and she had abandoned all hopes of its discovery.

I observed that warts were easily removed when contracted accidentally,
but that those which appeared at the birth were no more to be removed
than moles. I then turned the conversation, by stating, that I could
not consider her conduct criminal; it was more than could be expected
from human nature, that she should not retain affection for one who had
lived with her as a husband, and died for her sake. I gave her
absolution for half a dozen Ave-Marias, and took my leave for the night.
When I lay on my pallet, I reflected upon what had passed; the year and
month agreed exactly with the time at which I had been sent to the
Asylum. A wart, as she very truly observed, might disappear. Might not
I be the very son whom she was lamenting? The next morning I repaired
to the Asylum, and demanded the date of my reception, with all the
particulars, which were invariably registered in case of the infants
being eventually claimed. It was in the month of February. T