Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/105

 felt myself refreshed. He now seated himself upon the sofa, to wipe the cold sweat from my face with his handkerchief, entreating me, again and again, to compose myself. "All will be well," he added. "You know how little I value my life, if I can be useful to you: should I, therefore, not willingly share my happiness with my dear Carlos?"

"Dearest Lewis!" I groaned, "rather a thousand reproaches, than that heavenly goodness. Alas! I do not deserve it." So saying, I struggled to disengage myself in a fit of wild despair from his embraces; however, he would not let me go.

"If you don't deserve that love, that tender kindness; who else can merit it?

"Tell me, O! tell me, my injured friend, do you really not hate a rival?"

"A rival! Is this the fatal secret? Yes, Carlos, I confess Caroline could make me happy, and obliterate the recollection of what I have suffered. My passion began as early as yours. It sways in my breast