Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/113

 effort was painful, and that she had a mind but ill at ease.

In the evening, after the ladies had retired, Mr. d'Allenberg of himself reverted to Louisa's story, and observed that he had to congratulate himself on the discovery of Count Wolfran's baseness, and also, that the heart of his daughter was much less attached to him than might have been expected from his handsome person and insinuating manners. "She has even told me," said he, "that her predilection was never decidedly strong in his favour; but that, having no attachment to another, no reasonable objection could be made against him. On the contrary, all appearances being to his advantage, and seeing that his addresses met with my approbation, she thought herself happy in complying with my wishes, where there was every prospect of future happiness to herself.—What a fortunate escape has my dear child experienced," added he.

"But my dear Sir," cried Ferdinand, "will you pardon me for observing, that it