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 that he had betrayed the Count's secret, and the confidence of Louisa.

Mr. d'Allenberg looked at him with a keen and penetrating eye; the Count, with much surprise, and was for a moment silent.

"I take shame to myself," said he at last, 'that I have not performed a duty gratitude, respect, and esteem, claimed from me; but in truth, the business of the day, your unexpected elopement this morning, and a variety of perplexing thoughts, totally unqualified me for paying visits. You see, therefore, that you have not only been guilty of omissions yourself, but are the cause of other people's deficiencies."

The Count spoke the last words with a gay air, that a little reconciled Ferdinand to himself for the petulancy of his answer to Mr. D'Alenberg, which he sought to cover by saying, "To-morrow, Sir, I hope we shall have the honour of waiting upon the ladies, and apologizing for our seeming neglect."

"Very well," replied he, "I shall so report it, that you may receive a tolerable welcome;