Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/264

 expired with joy.—"Now (cried he, tears stealing down his face) now I have lived to see my master happy; I have lived long enough for myself; the remainder of my days must be devoted to the service of that Master, whose gracious Providence has defeated the schemes of the wicked, and having punished one error in early youth, which was productive of so many evils, has at length purified him to a fullness of joy!"

Ferdinand, from the day of his marriage with the charming Theresa, had nothing wherewith to reproach himself, or to interrupt their mutual happiness; he found, in the sweets of that union, that perfect felicity, which must result from a connexion formed on the principles of reason and virtue; whilst, generally speaking, those marriages, contracted contrary to the wishes of parents, influenced chiefly by transient personal charms, and hurried on by rash tumultuous passions, seldom fail to be productive of sorrow, regret and reproach—perhaps of punishment