Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/202

This page needs to be proofread.

him. The other seeing his emotions, was also affected: "I have afflicted you undesignedly; pardon me (added he) I will not be intrusive, I submit to your restrictions." He was turning from the gate, the stranger caught his hand: "You have overcome (said he) my hitherto invincible resolutions; you have awakened sensations long, very long strangers to my bosom: I will consider, I must have time to reflect, and to determine, I can promise nothing; go to the convent, satisfy your anxiety respecting your wife.—Return to this gate to-morrow, I shall by that time decide on your wishes, and either wholly repress my own rising inclination, or gratify it without reserve; but expect nothing, for I make no promises." He hastily shut the gate without waiting for an answer, and left Ferdinand under a great perturbation of spirits.

He had now to retrace his steps, through the gloomy valley, and force his way through the woodlands. The various conjectures that occupied his mind relative to the old