Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/72

 as he thought, duplicity in every line of his countenance, so governed are our ideas by accidental circumstances! His love, his reverence for his brother, shrunk into nothing, and he believed the voice of the dead against all those superficial appearances which had hitherto lulled him into an unsuspecting confidence. After a short pause, "I have been complying with your wishes, my dear brother," said the Count, "and had just opened the business to your wife as you appeared."

"Ah! Ferdinand," cried Claudina, "can you think of leaving me, of exposing your life to the uncertain chance of war?"

"The hand of Providence is there, is here, and every where," answered Ferdinand. "Fear not for me, my dear Claudina, divest yourself of prejudice, consider my situation dispassionately, and you will be reconciled to an inevitable necessity."—"I leave you," said the Count, 'to discuss the subject between yourselves; my prayers and wishes have been unsuccessful; you, Madam, may have more influence." He bowed, and left the room.