Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/96

 written to my father, and immediately judged the lady before me was the Count's wife. I trembled excessively, and replied, in a faltering voice, "Yes, Madam, it was written by me, and the contents are a solemn truth."

"I do not doubt it," said she, tenderly; "your appearance sufficiently convinces me of it. I am, Madam, equally unfortunate, and equally innocent with yourself; but never will I stand between you and justice.—The cruelty of an unprincipled man cannot annihilate your rights. I have none—nor have I parents or relations. Fortunately I have still a large income in my own possession sufficient for my ill-star'd child, without any claims on his worthless father. I have quitted the Count, Madam, for ever.—Wretch as he is, he knows we cannot expose him without entailing disgrace on ourselves. You, for want of proofs, and myself on account of my child. To the justice of Heaven, therefore, we must leave him.

"My visit to you was to a sister in affliction; permit me the privileges of one.—-