"He covered his face with his hands while I was speaking; and when he again looked up, all traces of former agitation had vanished. "'Forgive me, father,' he said, with composure. 'Our superior has granted me the privilege of having a light always burning, as I am subject to fits, such as you have just witnessed, and cannot do without it. God have mercy upon me! I might have murdered you,' he added, turning suddenly pale again, and leaning against the damp wall. "I delivered my message, being anxious to leave a being whose passions were so violent when aroused; but he called me back as I turned away, and resting upon his hard bed, motioned for me to take a seat beside him. "I hesitated about complying at first; but there was an expression of mingled sorrow and entreaty resting upon his whole countenance, that awoke my sympathy and conquered fear. Closing the door of the cell, I obeyed him in silence, and sat down with a feeling of awe not to be defined. "'Father,' he said, laying one hand on each of my shoulders, and staring fixedly in my face, 'Will you hear me confess?' "The extreme abruptness of the question made me start from him with a gesture of surprise, but I answered not. "'Will you hear a tale of crime from a criminal?' he continued, pressing heavily upon me, 'a tale of murder from a murderer!' "I felt convinced that I had a maniac to deal with, and remembering to have heard that any sign of timidity but added fuel to the fires of insanity, I steadily returned his stare, and responded as quietly as I could. "'Brother Dominique, if your soul is burthened with crimes, why not confess to the superior who is our father confessor?' "'No, no!' he exclaimed, frantically. 'To you, or no one.' "Fearful that, by refusing, I should again arouse him to violence, I drew my cowl closely over my head to guard against the damp air, and bade him tell me his sorrows. "He, at once, fell upon his knees before me--nor could I persuade him to assume any other attitude. "'Here on my knees,' he began, 'will I tell a tale that shall freeze your blood, and make you turn from me in scorn, or hatred. You will not betray me?' "I assured him I would not. "'I am the last of a noble Florentine house, which bears the names of sovereigns upon its registers. My father was a cold, stern man, proud of his high descent, and arrogant with those beneath him. My mother was the daughter of a Venetian noble, bright and beautiful as a diamond, and insensible to all the softer warmths of women as is that precious gem. I was their only child, and all the love their hearts were capable of feeling was bestowed upon me; all my desires were gratified ere expressed; obsequious menials stood about my path eager to obey my slightest nod; velvet received my infant footsteps, and the atmosphere around me was one of mellow music.