Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/207

 "You are more than usually cheerful, my dear Louisa?"

"Indeed I am; the arrival of our friend has gratified my warmest wishes."

"May every wish of your heart be realized; you may suppose I do not feel less pleasure, though his presence is not of that immediate consequence to me, as to my dear Louisa."

"Indeed," cried the other, at once penetrating into the nature of her feelings, "indeed, have you then changed your favourable opinion of Ferdinand, since he is become a widower and a Count?"

"No," said Miss D'Alenberg, a little piqued; "but I hope I have fortitude and generosity sufficient to change the nature of my sentiments in favour of my friends."

"I see," returned Louisa, 'that you suspect the new Count has a partiality for me."

"It was a suspicion," said the other; "but his behaviour this day amounts to a confirmation; and believe me, my dear Louisa, weak as you have seen me in many instances,