Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/161

 other effect than to increase your dejection, we might as well remain in the Castle."

"Do not mistake the nature of my feelings," replied Ferdinand.—Tis impossible to view these fragments of ancient grandeur, without ruminating on the causes which tumbled them into ruin. But I assure you, that I am much obliged and gratified by your indulgence; and could the mind of man divest itself from the selfishness inherent to our nature, we should have but little reason to murmur at our own losses and misfortunes, when we reflect on the entire downfall of a nation once so great and mighty as the Romans."

"I cannot say," returned Heli, "that looking on these ruinous palaces, at all lessens my regret for the want of fortune, or comforts me for being doomed to live in this solitary place."

"I am not more abstracted than yourself," said Ferdinand, "since I do not scruple to confess, that I am at this moment not the less sensible of my own unpleasant situation,