326 a singular adventure. Oct: 36% 
sobs to utter, “ My God! Omy God!” At that mo- 
me‘t the curtains of the bed made a noise ; he turned 
sound with the greatest terror: “ Is there any person, 
said he, is there any person in that bed?” * Yes, 
replied I, at wee same time opening the curtains wide, 
ut who are you!’ His tears hindered him from answer- 
ing me for a considerable time; at length he became 
‘more calm. “ I am, said he, the most miserable of © 
mortals. Perhaps I ought not to tell you more; but for 
these many years I have not seen a human being, and 
‘the. pleasure of speaking toa fellow creature opens my 
mouth. Fear nothing: come and sit down beside the fire. 
Have-pity upon me ; you will soften the rigour of my fate 
in hearing my misfortunes.” The fright which his first 
appearance had put me in, gave place to compafsion. 
I arose and sat down beside him ; this mark of confidence 
gave him courage. He took hold of my hand and moiste- 
ned it with his tears. “‘ Generous man, said he, begin 
first by satisfying my curiosity, tell me how you came 
to lodge in this apartment, which has hitherto been un- 
inhabited ; what means thatterrible din and unusual bustle 
which I heard this morning in. the castle ??? When I told 
him it was occasioned by the marriage of Vildac’s daugh- 
ter, he raised his hand towards heaven, “ Vildac a daugh- 
terand married - - - Just God! O make her happy! 
but aboye all allow her to be ignorant of her father’s 
crimes. Know then, benevolent stranger who I am 
- .- - You speak to the fatherof Vildac - - - of 
the cruel Vildac.—But ought Ito complain of him? Is 
there no one but a father to accuse him.” 
‘What, cried I with astonifhment, is Vildac your son; 
and does the monster imprison you here in such misery, 
load you with chains, and seclude you so long from the 
world ?? : ’ 
