Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/286

 "That villainous Turk can only be actuated by malice," said the Count; "for he well knows the innocence of my friend.—What share Fatima had in the business, I know not; but I believe that Count Wolfran came there to seek for the lady, and not to rob the house.—I only fear it will be difficult to investigate the truth, for want of evidence; but to-morrow I shall most certainly apply to the Emperor himself to prove the rank of Ferdinand, and then I hope we shall soon confound his accusers."

Ferdinand was conducted to a prison; but he was treated with gentleness, and had (for a prison) tolerable accommodations. He was not without very unpleasant reflections; no letters had arrived from his friends, which involved him in doubts and anxiety for his son, Claudina, and his brother.—By his imprudence, in acknowledging his connexion with the worthless Fatima, he had brought on himself his present disagreeable situation: Then he considered, that if the affair was prosecuted on Heli's testimony against him,