Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/65

 "No mercy this time!" I replied laughing, in my natural accent. He knew me instantly, took the handkerchief from his face, and gazing at me with astonishment, said, highly rejoiced, "Dear Count, is it you? are you still alive? You have played me a fine trick."

"I now gave him a brief account of the whole affair, and recommended the fainting lady to his care. This animated him at once with new life, and he hastened to her with the alacrity of a buck to lend his assistance.

"I found the servants dispersed in different parts of the garden, and called to them to assist their master. The rest of the company were returned to the garden-house, and there awaited the event in great anxiety. When I entered the door, the ladies sat up a loud scream, because they did not at first know me, and mistook me for the ghost. I never beheld a more singular scene than that. Every distinction of rank and sex was suspended for a while.