Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/116

 pleted, and we were directly to have set off on our tour. Thus you see he run no risk of an immediate detection, and doubtless would have remained abroad some time, or have changed his usual residence.

But providence often defeats the deep-laid schemes of villainy, and unmasks the contriver to the world. I have written a circumstantial account to my friend, and besought him to treat the base betrayer with the contempt and ignominy he deserves, nor as he values my friendship to engage in any personal resentment with a wretch so unworthy of his sword, but to let disgrace mark his steps, and his character fly before him. To the Count I disdained to write. Louisa and my daughter have both written to the Countess; the former, at our request, gratefully declining the generous settlement designed for her father and herself; my daughter, in terms of the warmest admiration of her noble conduct, relating to her the late occurrences, and earnestly entreating her to pay us a visit. Should she do us that favour, there will be a