Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/30

 sion of a very young man. But alas! with the most painful conviction of my imprudence, I candidly own, I heard him only with impatience, and attended to nothing but the flattering idea of being married to the Count, and being inseparably united to a man, who, I was persuaded, would love me for life with unabating affection. Childish, romantic expectation! how bitterly have I been convinced of its fallacy, since the very concession I made in his favour, and submitting to the humiliation of a private marriage, must of itself lessen his esteem, when he reflected on my want both of prudence and delicacy. Rarely, indeed, I believe are such marriages happy, as need concealment, or are unsanctioned by the approbation of our parents; but I was to be convinced of this truth by experience; for I refused to listen to the voice of prudence.

When, therefore, the Abbe had exhausted himself, and borne hard upon the patience of the Count, without, to my shame be it confessed, having made the least impression upon