One was my dear mother."
Here tears coursed down the woman's cheeks. "And she, though I blush
to tell it, was sold to Rovero, who was indeed my father as well as
Franconia's. But I was years older than Franconia-I visit her grave
by day, and dream of her by night;--nor was it strange that she
should trace the cause of similarity in our features. Forsooth, it
was that singular discovery-of which I was long ignorant-coupled
with the virtues of a great soul, that incited her to effect my
escape. Rovero, ere he married Franconia's mother, sold Sylvia
Maldonard, who was my mother; and may angels bring glad tidings of
her spirit! Yes, true is it that my poor mother was sold to one
Silenus, of whom Marston bought my body while heaven guarded the
soul: but here would I drop the curtain over the scene, for
Maldonard is dead; and in the grave of his Italian wife, ere he
gained his freedom, was he buried." Here again the fond mother, as
she concluded, lifted her eyes invokingly, fondled her long-lost
child to her bosom,--smiled upon her, kissed her, and was happy.
CHAPTER LVI.
IN WHICH A PLOT IS DISCLOSED, AND THE MAN-SELLER MADE TO PAY THE
PENALTY OF HIS CRIMES.
WHILE the scenes which we have detailed in the foregoing chapter
were being enacted at Nassau, there stood in the portico of a
massive dwelling, fronting what in Charleston is called the "Battery
Promenade," the tall and stately figure of a man, wrapped in a
costly black cloak, the folds of which lay carelessly about his neck
and shoulders.
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