Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/58

 nished into bubbles! My wife! my children! merciful Heaven! who will provide for them?"

"That Heaven you invoke (answered the steward;) fear not, Sir, Providence never deserts the virtuous man." "But what, what is now to become of my intended expedition to the army?"

"If I may be so bold as to offer my advice (replied Ernest) I would act as if I was still unacquainted with the Count's real character; I only wished, Sir, to put you on your guard against duplicity, and not to have you weighed down with an idea of obligations which proceed only from selfish considerations. Whatever advantages you receive from the Count, is your undoubted right, as children of the same father you have an equal claim to his property; nor could resentment be justifiable carried to such lengths, as to consign one child to misery, that the other might riot in luxury."

"Surely, Ernest (cried Ferdinand) my father had a right to make what distinctions he pleased."