“In a year from my sinful marriage, I became the mother of an infant girl. My swimming senses scarcely perceived the child, before all consciousness left me, and life was a blank for many weeks. When I returned to consciousness, I found myself at a hotel, in charge of my father and mother; but my husband and child—where were they?—how long had I been at the hotel?—and how much of my circumstances did my parents know? These questions soon forced themselves upon my mind, ruined my rest by day and night, and seriously retarded my recovery. I feared my father even more then than now; and I dared not risk a single inquiry upon the subjects of my anxiety. At last, I discovered that I had been ill, though not always unconscious, for eight weeks; that my parents had been with me only a few days, and that they were totally unsuspicious of my new relations as wife and mother. I dared not inform them. I waited restlessly, impatiently, for the appearance of my mother-in-law, who never came. At last, with caution, I inquired after Madame L’Orient. I was told that her establishment was broken up, and was recommended to be still, and refrain from exciting conversation. As I convalesced, I gradually learned the truth—very gradually, for had the knowledge come suddenly, I should not now be here, telling you the story: the terrible shock must have killed me,” she said, and shuddered from head to foot. “Compose yourself, and proceed, dear Stella! You speak to one who sympathizes with every phase of your suffering.” “Of my _punishment_!—that is the proper word.” “Do not reproach yourself so severely, Stella; but proceed, my love.” “Ah, how shall I go on! how shall I inform you of the horrors that came to my knowledge? I should have told you, that for a week before I was first taken ill, I missed Victoire, but believing he had gone upon one of his frequent pleasure excursions, and glad to be left for a few days in peace, I felt no uneasiness on account of his absence. After my recovery I learned that at that very time he was under arrest upon the charge of treason. And during the period of my long illness he had been tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. His punishment was afterward commuted to transportation to the penal colonies. He was then on his way to Algiers.