Page:Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons (1793, volume 2).djvu/117

 anxiety, and conscious guilt, with the disorder that now oppressed him, had indeed greatly altered him. When the Marquis drew near, he was for a moment silent; then, addressing him, "I am told, my Lord, you requested my presence." "I did (replied the Count.) Pray, is your sister with you?" "Not in the house (answered the Marquis) but she is in town, and will soon attend, if it is your wish to see her." "Yes, (said the Count) let her come; I can tell my story but once, 'tis fit she should be present."

The Marquis instantly dispatched a messenger for his wife and sister. In the interim the Count desired to be informed in what manner the Countess effected her escape through the wood and got to England. The Marquis recounted every particular. "There was a fate in it, no doubt (said the Count;) Providence intervened, to prevent me from the commission of crime I intended, and preserved her life."