Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/224

 who had expected him, being walking in the court, heard the faint sound, which the jarring of the wires occasioned, and instantly appeared at the little wicket. Ferdinand was agreeably surprised at his sudden appearance. "You see me returned (said he) anxious to cultivate your acquaintance, and in your conversation blunt the keen edge of my own calamities."

"Enter (said the solitary) I have expected you, curiosity is so strongly implanted in the mind of man that I scarcely doubted of your return." They passed through the first court, and walked round the wall of the second to a small postern door; on advancing towards it, he added, "Having once permitted you a free entrance, my confidence shall not be a partial one." He then opened the door which led to a handsome colonnade fronting the great gates that were boarded up, and excluded it from being seen in the outer court. They entered a large hall, round which run a gallery supported by pillars that led to the apartments above stairs; but the