Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/230

"Your curiosity in this point is so very natural that I will satisfy it without reserve. The discovery of this mansion through the impenetrable, as I thought, woods, hills and valleys, so out of the common road, and even an object of terror to the few inhabitants that dwell on the other side, the sound of a bell, which had been silent for above nine years, and your appearance when I opened the wicket, altogether astonished me! Callous, as I thought my heart was grown, it softened at the view of sorrow and weakness in so young a frame. To your request of admittance I said, "I would inquire." I came back, and consulted Francis; it was possible you might be what you seemed, then there was no danger in permitting you to enter the outer court, but to guard against surprise, Francis secured the gate of the inner court, and was planted in a small room, within the huntsman's, where I led you, armed with that brace of pistols, which had you attacked me, or strove to force your way beyond the bounds