Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/174

 "Pray for me, pray for the wretch who cannot pray for himself."—More cordials were administered, and a temporary strength returned: "Now, now, I can speak; I always hated you," said he, hastily addressing Ferdinand; "I sought to warp our father's mind against you, and pretended love to wound more deeply.

"I saw and loved Claudina; I tried to buy her of Dupree through an agent; she loved you; my offers were rejected. In revenge I persuaded you to marry, knowing that would ruin you with your father. I informed him of it. He disbelieved it. He sent for you; all was discovered, and drove you from the house.

"I intercepted every letter, and represented you careless of his affection, and deficient both in love and duty, yet I pleaded with him to forgive you when I had worked him to a pitch of fury that made him outrageous.