Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/235

 way. This served, however, only to add fuel to the flame: he intruded himself every where upon her; and at length provoked the voice of slander to such a degree, by the violence of his passion, that S******i and Don Bernhard thought it their duty to inform me of it in plain terms. I did, indeed, ridicule them for their suspicion, but resolved to keep a watchful eye over him, and to take the first opportunity to speak to Adelheid about it.

This opportunity offered itself sooner than I imagined; for she came one evening, after my return from company, to my apartment, holding a paper in her hand, and shedding a torrent of tears.

"Dearest Adelheid!" I exclaimed, "what is the matter?" Having sent my valet away, she sat down by my side, and began, with a trembling voice, "Carlos, I cannot conceal the insult I have received any longer from you. It would be criminal in me to spare your friend on the present occasion. You certainly have observed how Count S****** has behaved to