He besought me to be composed. The event had turned out favourably for my father, who had been exculpated by the Count's own confession. This, indeed, was some ease to my mind; but the reflection that my folly and imprudent marriage had brought on such shocking events, wounded my very soul, and I was scarcely able to support myself when the carriage stopped at the gentleman's house.
He gave me drops and wine to restore my spirits, and I accompanied him to the apartment, where I found my dear parent supported by pillows in his bed. Our meeting cannot be described; it was most truly distressing to both. He neither blamed or upbraided me, but soothed me by his kindness, which was a thousand times more painful to a self-convicted mind, than the most bitter reproaches could have been. He saw what I felt. "Forgive yourself, my Louisa, for you are exculpated in my eyes. An ingenuous unsuspecting heart was no match for the dark designing arts of an accomplished vil-
