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 heart beats more freely, and I already feel returning peace."

"Thank Heaven!" cried Ernest, "I have no doubt, Sir, of your veracity, for you were never given to indulge visionary or superstitious notions. Extraordinary things do happen sometimes to be sure, but, if what you have heard was to be related, it might injure weak and credulous minds, and cause many ridiculous stories; it will be best therefore, my dear master, to conceal the whole affair, and submit with resignation to the stroke that now afflicts you, comforting yourself with the remembrance of those words which were spoken to console your mind, and relieve you from the oppression of that imprecation which has so long and so cruelly disturbed you."

"I am relieved," answered Ferdinand, 'that painful stroke is removed, at least, I hope so: Alas! happy I can never be; yet, my good Ernest, had my lamented father sanctioned my marriage by his forgiveness, had I been considered as a child, few men would