Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/184

 in her tranquillity, though it cost him dear; but the surprise and anxiety of Ferdinand cannot be described. He had established it in his mind for a certainty, that Claudina resided in that Convent, and from thence adduced pleasure to himself when Eugenia had readily agreed to go there, from the expectation of obtaining some intelligence of the former through her; astonished indeed he was, and lost in conjecture. He knew Eugenia too well to believe she would attempt an imposition, or be capable of any duplicity under her present frame of mind; yet it was so extraordinary that the message he sent, and the answer returned, should coincide so exactly with his situation, that the more he reflected, the greater was his surprise, and the more severe his disappointment.

The Count found himself obliged to smother his own feelings, that he might administer consolation to his friend, who, although he could not hope to receive any pleasing in-