false conjecture on both sides, for the Lady had also been deceived; but it was a certain fact this Lady's name was Theodosia; that she was a stranger to this country, under the most melancholy circumstances from unparalleled ill-treatment, and the child with her was only six months old.—This was all she was allowed to say on the subject, but Ferdinand might be assured, as a solemn truth, that Claudina was not in that Convent, nor ever had been. She then recommended to him an endeavour to banish from his memory a woman he must be assured was unworthy of his regard; nor to waste his time, and ruin his health, in a fruitless pursuit of developing a mystery which could afford him no pleasure: She besought him to attach himself to her dear Count, and in the reciprocal delights of mutual friendship, find that peace and happiness which she daily implored Heaven to bestow on them."
This was nearly the contents of her letter. The Count had generosity enough to rejoice
