Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/38

 rations were rendered ineffective by the confederates, while they took care to give us no opportunity of applying vigorous measures. We began, by degrees, to grow negligent, because no occasion occurred that could have given energy to our designs. Trifling amusements enervated our desire for great and important deeds; and the female world left us little time to meditate on serious occupations. A constant round of diversions unbraced our minds; and we soon looked upon our plans, which formerly had engaged our whole attention, as an object of exercising our wit. At last an incident happened which seemed to make us forget them entirely. A fatal love affair occasioned a difference between myself and the Count; deprived me, for a long time, of his affection and confidence, before I could prevail upon myself to make some sacrifice to him; and, surprising us unawares, almost terminated our investigations by an ill-fated jealousy. Chance only re-united