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 anxiety which must have embittered every hour in his life time. I applaud her for not pretending to a regret or sorrow, it was impossible she should feel."

"Do you suppose, then," said Ferdinand, tis so easy a matter to teach the heart to resign its affections; can the unworthiness of a beloved object so soon eradicate all tenderness from a bosom accustomed to love?"

"I know at least, that it ought to be so," replied the Count; "because love ought to be grafted on esteem; and the loss of one should be the death of the other."

"Should be," repeated Ferdinand with a sigh.—"Alas! how seldom is the refractory heart under the guidance of reason."

Being joined by their friends, the conversation became general, and they walked together to the Baron's house.

They had hardly dined, when a servant entered and said, a man on horseback had a letter for Count Ferdinand, which he refused to deliver to any but himself.—Surprised, he hastily run to the door; the man respectfully