Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/36

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from a man of such loose principles and absurd conduct.

"Do not think me selfish and ungenerous," said he, "if I bless the hand of Providence that has recalled from the world a man whose exterior advantages were made the passport to the vilest profligacy, and whose heart was so depraved, that a union with an angel could not ensure his constancy."

The Count and Ferdinand looked at each other, and read their reciprocal sentiments.

"Little does he think of the base duplicity to which his admired Theodosia was the sacrifice, and the unfortunate Louisa a willing victim."

Fatigued with the various occurrences of the day, they all retired early to their apartments, and Ferdinand was at liberty to indulge that sorrow which pressed heavily upon his spirits.

Claudina returned to his mind's eye with all that innocence, beauty, and tenderness, which adorned her, when struggling under poverty and affliction. How difficult to be-