Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/52

 ed, and was about to retire without uttering a word, scarcely, I believe, knowing his own intentions; but I was too quick, for laying hold of his arm.—"Stop, Count," I cried, endeavouring to repress my emotions.—"Stop, my dear Count, do you not know your Louisa.—Be not offended; I am here unknown, without you choose to acknowledge me." More astonished, if possible, by this address, than even by my presence, he led me in silence to a chair, doubtless considering in what manner to impose on my credulity, or bring me over to his wishes.—"Louisa," said he at length, in a voice soft and agitated, "Louisa, I am surprised and concerned to see you here. You have taken a very wrong step, which may materially injure me and yourself." "I hope not," I replied with quickness; "for certainly what affects you must concern me. Man and wife can have but one interest; but I felt a necessity for coming here, that you might disavow a vile forgery in your name, calculated, no doubt, to make me miserable. I have