now succeeded; his own rash hand first pointed the weapon that must wound his bosom beyond all possibility of a cure, for I too plainly see his wife is grown indifferent to him, and attached to the pleasures of the world!"
Days and weeks passed away, and saw Claudina gay and happy; they heard often from Ferdinand, who had been twice in an engagement, and had been promoted.—When the campaign was over he hoped to return and embrace all the treasures he possessed in one circle, a tender wife, a generous and affectionate brother, and his darling children.—This hope, so flattering to him, was little capable of giving pleasure to the inhabitants of the Castle; and Ernest observed all at once a deep thoughtfulness take possession of the Count, and a pensive melancholy steal over the features of Claudina, for neither of which was there apparently any cause.
