What a flood of new feelings gushed upon my soul, as I laid down the billet, and lifted my filial eyes to heaven! I was about to behold my mother. Mother--endearing name! I pictured to myself, that unfortunate lady, stretched on a mattrass of straw, her eyes sunken in their sockets, yet still retaining a portion of their wonted fire; her frame emaciated, her voice feeble, her hand damp and chill. Fondly did I depict our meeting--our embrace; she gently pushing me from her, to gaze on all the lineaments of my countenance, and then baring my temple to search for the mole. All, all is convincing; and she calls me the softened image of my noble father! Two tedious hours I waited in extreme anxiety, till at length the clock struck twelve. My heart beat responsive, and in a few moments after, I heard the promised signal at my door. I unbolted it, and beheld two men in masks and cloaks. They blindfolded me, and each taking an arm, led me along. Not a word passed. We traversed several suites of apartments, ascended flights of stairs, descended others; now went this way, now that; obliquely, circularly, angularly; till I began actually to imagine we were all the time in one spot. At length my conductors stopped. 'Unlock the postern gate,' whispered one, 'while I light a torch.' 'We are betrayed!' said the other, 'for this is the wrong key.' 'Then thou beest the traitor,' cried the first. 'Thou liest, dost lie, and art lying!' cried the second. 'Take that!' exclaimed the first. A groan followed, and the wretch dropped to the ground. 'You have murdered him!' cried I, sickening with horror. 'I have only hamstrung him, my lady,' said the fellow. 'He will be lame for life.' 'Treason!' shouted the wounded man. His companion burst open the gate; a sudden current of wind met us, and we fled along with incredible speed, while low moans and smothered shrieks were heard at either side of us. 'Gracious heaven, where are we?' cried I. 'In the cavern of death!' said my conductor, 'famous for rats and banditti.' On a sudden innumerable footsteps echoed behind us. We ran swifter. 'Fire!' cried a ferocious accent, almost at my ear; and in a moment several pistols were discharged. I stopped, unable to move, breathe, or speak. 'I am wounded all over, right and left, fore and aft!' cried my conductor. 'Am I bleeding?' said I, feeling myself with my hands. 'No, blessed St. Anthony be praised!' answered he; 'and now all is safe, for we are at the cell, and the banditti have turned into the wrong passage.' He stopped, and unlocked a door. 'Enter,' said he, 'and behold your unhappy mother!' He led me forward, took the bandage from my eyes, and retiring, locked the door upon me.