to alleviate mine, if you choose to do so."—"Pray, Sir," cried Ernest, "don't break my heart by such a reflection; what I have sworn to I must fulfil; and do your faithful servant the justice to believe, that, could I communicate one word of comfort or pleasure, I would not with-hold it a moment; for Heaven's sake therefore cease to think on what is past. Let me tell you that master Charles is all you can wish, and that a day will come when every thing concerning Madam Claudina will be cleared up, although you never will see her more."
"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Ferdinand, "what a torture is suspense! Tell me, however, is she in a Convent?"
"At present," replied he, "she is not; but in a situation equally dead to the world, and to you: But now, Sir, how do you mean to meet your brother?"
"That depends upon him," answered the other; "I come not to ask favours of him, I have a noble friend, who is more than a
