The moment in which this terrible decree was pronounced had nearly proved that of his dissolution.

He looked forward to the morrow with despair, and his terrors increased with the approach of midnight.

Sometimes He was buried in gloomy silence: At others He raved with delirious passion, wrung his hands, and cursed the hour when He first beheld the light.

In one of these moments his eye rested upon Matilda's mysterious gift.

His transports of rage were instantly suspended.