Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/95

 manner we should provide for our mutual support. I believe the anxiety of his mind retarded his recovery, and certainly undermined his constitution, which had long been delicate, from the difficulties and misfortunes he had to struggle with. For myself, a retrospection on the past, and the prospect of the future, was so dark, so afflictive, and so humiliating, that 'tis a miracle how I supported my health, or preserved my reason.

I had resided with my father near a month; he was yet unable to leave his bed, when I was one day informed a lady requested to see me. The message surprised me; but I went down to the apartment, and saw a very elegant woman in deep mourning, who rose at my approach. "Do I see Miss Hautweitzer?" said she, in a very plaintive voice. I answered in the affirmative, and requested she would be seated. She took a letter from her pocket—"Forgive me, Madam, for thus recalling to you such distressing events, but permit me to ask if this letter is of your writing?" I saw it was the letter I had