Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/147

 read, they were opened, and proceeding round the mountain, they came to a similar pair of gates, where the same ceremony was observed, and on their entrance, an easy winding path-way led them to the Castle, passing several small forts, guarded by savage and half-starved looking men, who scowled under their bushy eye-brows, and, by their haggard ferocious countenance, inspired terror and despair.

At the Castle, Ferdinand was assisted to alight. He was so far exhausted by weakness, fatigue, and distress of mind, that they were obliged to carry him into an apartment, and give him some sherbet to prevent him from fainting. He laid himself down on a sofa, indifferent to life, and overwhelmed with misery. He was now a prisoner in a dreary and uncomfortable place, deprived of society, lost to his child, his friends, and his dear Count. This last stroke of being separated from him, was the completion of his misfortunes; and in the bitterness of his grief, he