with me, and so I think it my duty to serve you, and if you desire me I will tell you all, only don't speak a word of it to master or any body." This Ernest faithfully promised, and Peter engaged to step into his room, whenever he could gain any intelligence to communicate.
This information of Peter's corroborating the conversation he had overheard in the library, left Ernest no room for doubt of a connexion terrible to think of, yet what steps to take, whether to acquaint Ferdinand with the dreadful secret, or to let him still remain ignorant and happy, were measures he thought must depend on the result of their determinations, and for the knowledge of them he depended on Peter. Nothing particular transpired for two days. Claudina's dejection increased, and she seemed very ill, her appetite was lost, and frequent faintings alarmed the family; but she refused to have medical advice, and said it was only weakness from a violent cold. On the third night, however, she was seized with convulsions, only her
