Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/61

Distracted with the various conjectures that occupied his mind, he walked on regardless of time or distance, until faint and weary, he stopped, and looked round, that he might trace his way back; but he had bewildered himself among the trees, and observed no particular path, he therefore was at a loss how to regain the direct road; to complete his difficulties, the air grew dark, the clouds heavy, and in a short time it began to rain violently. Scarcely sensible of the torrents that poured upon him, Ferdinand sought to explore his way to the Castle, though he dreaded to encounter the looks of its master. It was some hours, however, before he saw the turrets rising above the trees, and when arrived at the garden, he was so exhausted with fatigue, so drenched with the rain, that it was with much difficulty he reached the saloon door before his senses fled, and he fell extended on the floor. Happily a servant was passing the room, and hearing a noise, opened the door, and beheld the lifeless body.