Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/201

 tively; thought her more beautiful than ever, and again sighed that the Count was precluded from rendering her happy.

He was so lost in thought, and absorbed in attention towards them, that Mr. d'Allenberg was obliged to remind him that he had not once asked for the lovely Countess.

"Forgive me," said he: "I have the highest respect for that estimable woman, but I have my excuse before me. When looking at those ladies, is it possible to recollect any others.—I hope, however, you left that amiable lady well."

"Perfectly so," said Reiberg; "and 'tis only in this company that I can pardon your omission."

Ferdinand had always so carefully avoided saying even a gallant thing to a lady, that the little compliment he uttered caught the attention of Miss d'Allenberg; she looked at him; he withdrew his eyes, and fixed them on Louisa, to whom he addressed some trifling question, that called the blood from