Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/182

 all my hopes, and the closing scene of my life.

"Good Heavens! what a transition from absolute despair to exquisite joy. How little did I hope ever to see my friend again. Yet let me not be too sanguine; perhaps we are prisoners for life; yet if they will permit us to be together, I am careless of future circumstances."

"What is intended by bringing us together," said Ferdinand, "I am as ignorant of as yourself: For when I once questioned Heli as to the place of your confinement, he protested he was ignorant of it. In this, 'tis plain, he practised deception: Therefore I cannot pretend to judge what may be his future views.

"I have experienced civilities from him which call for confidence; and if I am deceived, I would rather suffer for my candor, than wrong him by unjust suspicions."

The Count seemed to derive hope from Ferdinand's account of Heli. They both execrated the treachery of Ismael; judging