agony at times, lest such should be the case; but time
passed on, and another fortnight elapsed, during which I had profited
by my reading, and felt some contrition for my many offences, and my
life of guilt, and I also felt that I could be saved through the
merits of Him who died for the whole world. Day after day my faith
became more lively, and my mind more at ease. One morning the gaoler
came to me, and said that there was a priest who wished to see me. As
I understood he was a Roman, I was about to refuse; but on
consideration, I thought otherwise, and he was admitted. He was a
tall, spare man, with a dark Spanish countenance.

"You are, I believe," said he, "Captain Elrington, who effected the
escape of some of our poor friends, and who are now condemned for your
kind act?"

"I am, Sir," replied I.

"I am aware," said he, "that your profession of faith is not mine, and
do not, therefore, come to talk with you on serious points, without
you should wish it yourself; my object is, being indebted as we are to
you for saving our friends, to offer to be of any use that I can to
you, in executing any wishes, or delivering any messages, which you
may wish to give, should you suffer for your generous conduct, and you
may trust any thing to me with safety, that I swear to you;" and he
took a crucifix from the folds of his garment, and kissed it, as he
said so.

"I thank you for your kind offer, Sir," replied I, "but I have nothing
to trouble you with. I have long quitted my family, who know not
whether I am alive or dead, for reasons that I need not explain. I am
under an assumed name, and it is my intention to suffer under that
name, that my family may not be disgraced by my ignominious death, or
be aware that I have perished on the scaffold."

"Perhaps you are right," replied the priest; "but let us talk upon
another point; have you no friends that could exert themselves in your
favour so as to procure your pardon and release?"

"None," replied I, "except those who, I am sure, are exerting
themselves to the utmost of their power, and to whom no message from
me is necessary."

"Do you know nobody at court," said the priest, "no person of rank in
the government--or I may say opposed to the government--for people
now-a-days are not what they seem or pretend to be?"

"I have no knowledge of any titled person," replied I; "when I parted
with one of the gentlemen whom I landed at Bordeaux, he gave me the
name of a la