ments who dare incur it's anger.

Be satis

fied your husband is involved in mystery, as impenetrable as the grave.'

66

My despair gave me courage; and, finding I had nothing to hope from this pander of a tyrant, I resolved to deceive himto make him relax in his vigilance, and, then, exert myself for my Neville's emancipation.

"I, accordingly, appear'd before him with a more tranquil air, (though Heaven knows my bosom was almost bursting) and so far succeeded in my innocent manœuvre, that I was whole days without the annoyance of his company. But, how to effect. my escape? Love, however blind, is the parent of invention, as well as necessity. Under his influence, I found means to purloin a suit of the doctor's clothes; and, in this habit, my face also disguised with ochre, (and a gown of my own conceal'd, in case of necessity) I was so fortunate as to pass the precincts of my dwelling unsuspected.

"As I had glean'd from Dermot the almost impenetrable mystery to which the

wretched victims of the inquisitorial power are subjected, my first step was to ascertain something relative to my husband's wretched condition. I was conscious of the danger of my plan- but, deprived of him I loved, what were chains, or death, to me?

"I adopted, and rejected, many plans, (wandering for hours every day about the walls of the inquisitorial prison) when, by means of my male and pontifical attire, I form'd an acquaintance with an officer belonging to that place. I discover'd him to be a man endow'd with more liberality of sentiment than I could have expected, from one inured to scenes of cruelty. Our several interviews seem'd to beget a mutual confidence; and I ventured to ask, what was become of an Irish prisoner, named Neville?

"He frown'd at my inquiry, and demanded why I made it, with some petulance; which I found means to allay by the allpowerful persuasion of gold. I told him, that the said Neville was the husband of a lady, to whom I was confessor; that her distress was such, I had made up my mind

to encounter every danger, for the sake of ascertaining his fate, which she languish'd

to know.

And if you, oh, Benigno! hope for mercy yourself, assist me in affording some to this disconsolate creature,' concluded I.

"I will not trouble you by detailing the many arguments I found it requisite to adduce, both moral and religious, to carry my point; but shall content myself with telling you, he promised to procure me a dress similar to his own, and to introduce me, on the night following, to Neville's cell. But, first, he extorted a tremendous oath, (one never to be forgotten) that I would not even discover myself to the prisoner.

"Need I describe my feelings in the interval?

"Oh my dear son! if you have ever loved, conceive them for me.

"I was before my time at the place of assignation. The appointed hour-the succeeding one-past; and I was giving way to despair, when Benigno join'd me.

"I have been prevented from punctuaFollow me! but speak not,

lity,' said he.

and beware your fears do not betray youif they should, certain death awaits us both.'

"Fear not,' said I, collecting all my fortitude; I will be firm as the forest

oak !'

CHAPTER X.

I not deny

The jury, passing on the pris'ner's life,

May, in the sworn twelve, have a thief or two

Guiltier than him they try.

MEASURE FOR Measure.

"LET me hurry over an event," continued Lady Neville, "too horrible to dwell

upon; the condition in which these eyes beheld my husband. Chain'd at his length upon the cold stones, lay the brave, the innocent Neville-pale, emaciated, lost to himself, and all the world!

"The dreadful epoch was at hand, when he was to undergo an examination; and, whilst he expected every hour to be dragg'd before his merciless judges, he had fallen sick in his dungeon.

"This accident, which, in other cir VOL. II.

H