Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/49

 "Well," said he, resuming his recollection, "had this woman's conduct been represented to me by another, I should either have believed it fabulous, or very greatly exaggerated: What a strange adventure have I made of my morning's ramble?"

He then turned, deeply musing, and so entirely forgetful of the valet, that had the man been possessed of a weapon, or any evil designs, he might have had cause to have repented of his carelessness.

But fortunately weapon he had none, and therefore had no temptation to commit an injury, which we know not, desperate as his situation seemed to be, whether he might have had the fortitude or conscience to resist.—For how many are the follies and crimes mankind are drawn into by opportunity, to gratify a prevailing passion, which, free from the temptation of the moment, they do not even dream of.

Ferdinand walked slowly back the same way that he came; went into the boat, still followed by the lady valet, whom he very un-