Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/83

 mortally so. He lay long in a doubtful state. I have the pleasure to assure you, all apprehensions of his life are done away. Do not therefore alarm yourself," added he, observing my terror, and the emotions which affected my mind. "My friend wished you to be a little prepared, that the surprise might not too greatly distress you." "Ah! Sir," I exclaimed, "if indeed my father is out of danger, I return thanks to Heaven: But who, pray tell me, was his opponent? My heart already divines."

"It was Count Wolfran."—"The father or the son?" asked I, gasping for breath.—"The father," replied he, "who was the aggressor in every sense of the word.""And does he live," said I.—"No, he survived but three days." This answer was like a bolt of ice; it threw me into a fit of trembling. Cold damps bedewed my limbs, and I thought my last hour was at hand.—My companion was extremely shocked;—but being a medical man, he had luckily some drops in his pocket, which revived me.