صفحة 228 من 483

"During the ensuing days, while the preparations were going

forward for the escape of the merchant, the zeal of Felix was

warmed by several letters that he received from this lovely girl,

who found means to express her thoughts in the language of her

lover by the aid of an old man, a servant of her father who

understood French. She thanked him in the most ardent terms for

his intended services towards her parent, and at the same time

she gently deplored her own fate.

"I have copies of these letters, for I found means, during my

residence in the hovel, to procure the implements of writing; and

the letters were often in the hands of Felix or Agatha. Before I

depart I will give them to you; they will prove the truth of my

tale; but at present, as the sun is already far declined, I shall

only have time to repeat the substance of them to you.