he carpet, could scarcely be heard.

I waited impatiently for some token by which I might be governed. I put
my ear to the keyhole, and at length heard a voice, but not that of my
companion, exclaim, somewhat above a whisper, "Smiling cherub! safe and
sound, I see. Would to God my experiment may succeed, and that thou
mayest find a mother where I have found a wife!" There he stopped. He
appeared to kiss the babe, and, presently retiring, locked the door
after him.

These words were capable of no consistent meaning. They served, at
least, to assure me that I had been treacherously dealt with. This
chamber, it was manifest, did not belong to my companion. I put up
prayers to my Deity that he would deliver me from these toils. What a
condition was mine! Immersed in palpable darkness! shut up in this
unknown recess! lurking like a robber!

My meditations were disturbed by new sounds. The door was unlocked,
more than one person entered the apartment, and light streamed through
the keyhole. I looked; but the aperture was too small and the figures
passed too quickly to permit me the sight of them. I bent my ear, and
this imparted some more authentic information.

The man, as I judged by the voice, was the same who had just departed.
Rustling of silk denoted his companion to be female. Some words being
uttered by the man, in too low a key to be overheard, the lady burst
into a passion of tears. He strove to comfort her by soothing tones and
tender appellations. "How can it be helped?" said he. "It is time to
resume your courage. Your duty to yourself and to me requires you to
subdue this unreasonable grief."

He spoke frequently in this strain, but all he said seemed to have
little influence in pacifying the lady. At length, however, her sobs
began to lessen in vehemence and frequency. He exhorted her to seek for
some repose. Apparently she prepared to comply, and conversation was,
for a few minutes, intermitted.

I could not but advert to the possibility that some occasion to examine
the closet, in which I was immured, might occur. I knew not in what
manner to demean myself if this should take place. I had no option at
present. By withdrawing myself from view I had lost the privilege of an
upright deportment. Yet the thought of spending the night in this spot
was not to be endured.

Gradually I began to view the project of bursting from the closet, and
trusting to the energy of truth and of an artless tale, with more