1793 a singular adventure. 327! 
“ Behold, replied he. in my sufferings, the fatal effects 
} of self interestednefs. Feeling is an utter stranger in the 
hard and savage heart of my son. Insensible to the 
ties of kindred, he has lent a deaf ear to the cry. of nature : 
in order to be the sooner in pofsefsion of my fortune he 
has loaded me with irons. 
““ Qne day he paid a visit to a neighbouring lerd who 
had lately lost his father ; he found him. surrounded with 
his vafsals, busied in receiving rents and in granting lea- 
ses. That sight had a dreadful effect upon the mind of 
Vildac. ‘The thirst for receiving his patrimony had been 
devouring him for a long time past. I remarked at his 
return that he had a graver and more reserved counte- 
mance than usual., Fifteen days after, three men in 
mafks carried me off during the night. After having strip- 
“ped me of every thing, they iook me into this tower, [I 
am ignorant of what means Vildac took to publith the 
report of my death; but I guefsed by the ringing of bells 
and other arecil ceremonies, that he was celebrating 
my funeral. ‘he idea of this ceremony plunged me into 
a most profound melancholy. 1 m vain afked, as a fa- 
vour, to be permitted to speak with Vildac: those who 
brought me food, looked upon me, no doubt, as a crimi- 
nal condemned to perifh inthis tower. I have now been 
here almost twenty years. I perceived, this morning, 
that in bringing me my morsel, they had thut my door 
carelesly. 1 have waited till night to profit by their ne- 
“giligence ; 1 do not with to make my escape, but.a few 
paces of more liberty is always some consideration for a 
prisoner.” . ; 
‘No, cried I, you fhall quit this unworthy mansion: 
Heaven has sent me to be your deliverer :—let us depart 
immediately : allis in silence, I hall be your defender, 
your support,.and your guide.’ “ Ah, said he to me, aiter 
‘ 
