lieve, that she who had borne every evil with fortitude, who had preserved her honour, when poor and subject to temptation, should, when fortune smiled, when every want and wish was supplied, should fail in the trial, when blessed with ease and affluence.
"My absence," said he, "was her ruin; some artful wretch took the advantage of an unguarded moment to destroy her honour and happiness, and to plant thorns in my bosom, which must rankle there for ever."
He more earnestly than ever wished to return into Suabia, and meet with Ernest, Claudina now no more. Surely there could no longer exist reasons for concealing those secrets, known only to that faithful old man, and which had so long tortured him. These uneasy reflections were not the only ones that tormented him: He dreaded the discovery of Fatima, whose association and flight with the late Count's valet, too plainly spoke her guilt, and laid her open to punishment, should they be found; the consequence of which must give him the most painful concern, both as
