I allowed, he had orders to discharge, and instantly to dispatch you."
Ferdinand heard him with some degree of terror, and "Who, or what can this man be?" darted naturally into his mind, and having taken some refreshment, he began to consider whether it would be prudent to remain in a place that seemed to be the abode of wretchedness, fear and distrust. Curiosity however predominated, and as he also was armed with a brace of pistols, he thought himself at least a match for two old men, should they harbour any sinister designs against him. Having thus made up his mind, he began to remark on the conversations between Father Joseph and himself, and the different language of Father Ambrose, the Superior. "I much fear (said he) that the former has been an unhappy victim, and feels no satisfaction in his situation; for I can conceive that even a good mind well disposed towards religion and moral rectitude, if compelled to forsake the world, and lead an inactive life, contrary to the natural disposition,
