occurrences may arise at present unforeseen to interrupt the harmony that exists in your family, and the idea of a precarious and accidental provision, must ever give pain to a feeling heart."
"What is it you mean or expect?" asked the Count, in a quick tone.
"A small settlement on my wife, that I may depart with a certainty that, whether I live or die, she will not want the common necessaries of life; superfluities, such as she now enjoys, I neither expect or wish for."
"What then (cried Rhodophil) you will not trust to my honour, or affection for your family?"
"Be not offended (answered Ferdinand, calmly) and I will be explicit; for my own provision, my sword shall carve it out, and for my family I expect only a mediocrity of fortune. The grandeur and elegance that reigns here they are not entitled to, nor can they expect a continuance of; a more humble situation is most proper for them: If therefore you will settle a very moderate pen-
