My uncle Bernard was written to; he
arrived; and my poor cousin being charged with a crime no less
serious, we were conducted to the same execution, which was
inflicted with great severity. If finding a remedy in the evil itself,
they had sought ever to allay my depraved desires, they could not have
chosen a shorter method to accomplish their designs, and, I can assure
my readers, I was for a long time freed from the dominion of them.
As this severity could not draw from me the expected acknowledgment,
which obstinacy brought on several repetitions, and reduced me to a
deplorable situation, yet I was immovable, and resolutely determined
to suffer death rather than submit. Force, at length, was obliged to
yield to the diabolical infatuation of a child, for no better name was
bestowed on my constancy, and I came out of this dreadful trial, torn,
it is true, but triumphant. Fifty years have expired since this
adventure- the fear of punishment is no more. Well, then, I aver, in
the face of Heaven, I was absolutely innocent: and, so far from
breaking, or even touching the comb, never came near the fire. It will
be asked, how did this mischief happen? I can form no conception of
it, I only know my own innocence.
Let any one figure to himself a character whose leading traits
were docility and timidity, but haughty, ardent, and invincible, in
its passions; a child, hitherto governed by the voice of reason,
treated with mildness, equity, and complaisance, who could not even
support the idea of injustice, experiencing, for the first time, so
violent an instance of it, inflicted by those he most loved and
respected.
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