"Explain yourself, Lorenzo."
Lorenzo was seized with a trembling that almost amounted to fainting, when he found that he had intimated what his master's friends had deemed it prudent to conceal. Louis regarded him with grateful pity, while he armed himself to hear whatever was then to be told.
"Do not hesitate to speak all you know," continued he; "I have suffered too much to shrink now. My heart has armour, Lorenzo, that the world guesses not."
Lorenzo burst into tears; but he instantly told him all. Louis pressed his hand; and, bidding him return to his room and take care of himself; the faithful creature, with a full heart, permitted the servants to carry him from the apartment; and when the door was closed on every body, Louis laid himself back upon his couch. That was his hour of agony; all that was yet within him of the world, mingled with the pang of filial anguish, and agitated his spirit even unto death.
Ferdinand came into the room, leaning on his sister; and taking his seat by the side of his friend's bed, gently touched him:— "Do you sleep, De Montemar?" said he. "Here is a fresh northern breeze in this sultry climate! Open your eyes and receive the genial visitant!"
Louis did not open his eyes, but he sighed heavily, and half muttered in a smothered voice: "When shall I meet a genial visitant again! Oh, Ferdinand," added he, turning his face upon the hand of his friend, "better had it been for me, had I never been born!"
Marcella was retiring at the first exclamation; but, at the second, she paused and drew near.
"De Montemar," said Ferdinand, "what can prompt you who are so universally honoured, to such a sentiment?"
"My father's universal infamy," replied Louis. "He is now judged before men and angels; and where shall I hide my head!"
"In the bosom of him who pierces the heart to purify it!" replied Marcella, as she sunk on her knees beside him. "He only who wilfully offends that gracious Being, may cry: Better for me had I never been born! If God have already judged your erring father before men and angels, and given that once illustrious name to universal infamy, receive that as a mercy; as a punishment here, that it may be remitted hereafter."