Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/161

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upon me! He may, and I deserve it should be so, but, he may make me wretched, he may shorten my days by disobedience and affliction; but never, never shall he experience a father's curse, nor struggle under a malediction registered in Heaven, and never to be expunged!" "Do not indulge that idea, Sir, Heaven hears not, confirms not, man's rash imprecations, uttered in a moment of frenzy; their confirmation must depend upon circumstances; Heaven heeds not the curses of disappointed ambition."

"I have no longer any business here," cried Ferdinand, starting from a reverie, and hardly attending to the words of Ernest;—"nor will I return to the army, I care not what becomes of me, but I will see my brother."—He flew out of the room to Rhodophil's apartment, which entering without ceremony, he found him gazing on a letter that he held in his hand, fixed like a statue. The entrance of Ferdinand startled him; he rose, crushed the paper into his pocket,—"Well, Sir!" was all he could say.—"O,