retired, the good Father softly opened the door, and appeared before him. Ferdinand took his hand with reverence: "My worthy friend, this is kind indeed!"—"My dear son, I thank your kindness in remembering me, and am glad my business has procured us the pleasure of seeing you."
"Ah!" said the former, "strange events have happened since I saw you last; but I feel too much interest for you to be prolix on other matters. Tell me, my good Father, have you connexions in the world, attachments of any kind in which I can serve you?"
"None," replied the other, "I stand a solitary being, not more cut off from the world than from connexions. I will tell you my story in a few words:
"My father was a man of family; my mother expired two years after my birth: I was, until six years of age, the darling of my surviving parent, and his chief amusement. About that time he conceived a strong
