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ceased to operate； was placed before him； Marguerite and her Son
remounted their Horses； the Baron's Domestics followed； and we
soon arrived at the Inn； where He had taken his apartments。
This was at the Austrian Eagle； where my Banker； whom before my
quitting Paris I had apprised of my intention to visit
Strasbourg； had prepared Lodgings for me。 I rejoiced at this
circumstance。 It gave me an opportunity of cultivating the
Baron's acquaintance； which I foresaw would be of use to me in
Germany。 Immediately upon our arrival the Lady was conveyed to
bed； A Physician was sent for； who prescribed a medicine likely
to counteract the effects of the sleepy potion； and after it had
been poured down her throat； She was committed to the care of the
Hostess。 The Baron then addressed himself to me； and entreated
me to recount the particulars of this adventure。 I complied with
his request instantaneously； for in pain respecting Stephano's
fate； whom I had been compelled to abandon to the cruelty of the
Banditti； I found it impossible for me to repose； till I had some
news of him。 I received but too soon the intelligence； that my
trusty Servant had perished。 The Soldiers who had pursued the
Brigands returned while I was employed in relating my adventure
to the Baron。 By their account I found that the Robbers had been
overtaken： Guilt and true courage are incompatible； They had
thrown themselves at the feet of their Pursuers； had surrendered
themselves without striking a blow； had discovered their secret
retreat； made known their signals by which the rest of the Gang
might be seized； and in short had betrayed ever mark of cowardice
and baseness。 By this means the whole of the Band； consisting of
near sixty persons； had been made Prisoners； bound； and conducted
to Strasbourg。 Some of the Soldiers hastened to the Cottage； One
of the Banditti serving them as Guide。 Their first visit was to
the fatal Barn； where they were fortunate enough to find two of
the Baron's Servants still alive； though desperately wounded。
The rest had expired beneath the swords of the Robbers； and of
these my unhappy Stephano was one。
Alarmed at our escape； the Robbers in their haste to overtake
us； had neglected to visit the Cottage。 In consequence； the
Soldiers found the two Waiting…women unhurt； and buried in the
same death…like slumber which had overpowered their Mistress。
There was nobody else found in the Cottage； except a child not
above four years old； which the Soldiers brought away with them。
We were busying ourselves with conjectures respecting the birth
of this little unfortunate； when Marguerite rushed into the room
with the Baby in her arms。 She fell at the feet of the Officer
who was making us this report； and blessed him a thousand times
for the preservation of her Child。
When the first burst of maternal tenderness was over； I besought
her to declare； by what means She had been united to a Man whose
principles seemed so totally discordant with her own。 She bent
her eyes downwards； and wiped a few tears from her cheek。
'Gentlemen；' said She after a silence of some minutes； 'I would
request a favour of you： You have a right to know on whom you
confer an obligation。 I will not therefore stifle a confession
which covers me with shame； But permit me to comprise it in as
few words as possible。
'I was born in Strasbourg of respectable Parents； Their names I
must at present conceal： My Father still lives； and deserves not
to be involved in my infamy； If you grant my request； you shall
be informed of my family name。 A Villain made himself Master of
my affections； and to follow him I quitted my Father's House。
Yet though my passions overpowered my virtue； I sank not into
that degeneracy of vice； but too commonly the lot of Women who
make the first false step。 I loved my Seducer； dearly loved him！
I was true to his Bed； this Baby； and the Youth who warned you；
my Lord Baron； of your Lady's danger； are the pledges of our
affection。 Even at this moment I lament his loss； though 'tis to
him that I owe all the miseries of my existence。
'He was of noble birth； but He had squandered away his paternal
inheritance。 His Relations considered him as a disgrace to their
name； and utterly discarded him。 His excesses drew upon him the
indignation of the Police。 He was obliged to fly from
Strasbourg； and saw no other resource from beggary than an union
with the Banditti who infested the neighbouring Forest； and
whose Troop was chiefly composed of Young Men of family in the
same predicament with himself。 I was determined not to forsake
him。 I followed him to the Cavern of the Brigands； and shared
with him the misery inseparable from a life of pillage。 But
though I was aware that our existence was supported by plunder； I
knew not all the horrible circumstances attached to my Lover's
profession。 These He concealed from me with the utmost care； He
was conscious that my sentiments were not sufficiently depraved
to look without horror upon assassination： He supposed； and with
justice； that I should fly with detestation from the embraces of
a Murderer。 Eight years of possession had not abated his love
for me； and He cautiously removed from my knowledge every
circumstance； which might lead me to suspect the crimes in which
He but too often participated。 He succeeded perfectly： It was
not till after my Seducer's death； that I discovered his hands to
have been stained with the blood of innocence。
'One fatal night He was brought back to the Cavern covered with
wounds： He received them in attacking an English Traveller； whom
his Companions immediately sacrificed to their resentment。 He
had only time to entreat my pardon for all the sorrows which He
had caused me： He pressed my hand to his lips； and expired。 My
grief was inexpressible。 As soon as its violence abated； I
resolved to return to Strasbourg； to throw myself with my two
Children at my Father's feet； and implore his forgiveness； though
I little hoped to obtain it。 What was my consternation when
informed that no one entrusted with the secret of their retreat
was ever permitted to quit the troop of the Banditti； That I must
give up all hopes of ever rejoining society； and consent
instantly to accepting one of their Band for my Husband！ My
prayers and remonstrances were vain。 They cast lots to decide to
whose possession I should fall； I became the property of the
infamous Baptiste。 A Robber； who had once been a Monk；
pronounced over us a burlesque rather than a religious Ceremony：
I and my Children were delivered into the hands of my new
Husband； and He conveyed us immediately to his home。
'He assured me that He had long entertained for me the most
ardent regard； But that Friendship for my deceased Lover had
obliged him to stifle his desires。 He endeavoured to reconcile
me to my fate； and for some time treated me with respect and
gentleness： At length finding that my aversion rather increased
than diminished； He obtained those favours by violence； which I
persisted to refuse him。 No resource remained for me but to bear
my sorrows with patience； I was conscious that I d