Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/203

 difficulty in persevering. He arose at a very early hour the next morning, that he might have an hour's conversation with Ernest.—The good old man deeply regretted the necessity which obliged him to leave the mansion of his forefathers, but in the present state of things he could not urge his stay. The conversation that ensued it is unnecessary to repeat, as it afforded no information to Ferdinand, and consisted chiefly of assurances on the part of Ernest to watch over his interests, and to pay a fatherly attention to his little son.

When the brothers met to take leave, Rhodophil assumed an air of affection and concern, which Ferdinand really felt. He had been for many years accustomed to consider Rhodophil as a brother and a generous friend. The late strange occurrences had deprived him of every comfort, the coldness of Rhodophil, and a suspicion of his duplicity, completed his misfortunes, and obliged him to turn his eyes towards a stranger for