Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/118

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was I the only sufferer? O, no! When I look back, how many innocent victims bled for my crimes! Arnulph, the faithful Agnes, Peter, and, O misery, my child! my dear innocent babe! let me not dwell on that;—even the wretch who was ordained to be my punisher, he lived, he died, miserable! And can I return to the world, can I talk of happiness, and trample on the memory of those unfortunates who suffered for me? No, it is impossible: Great have been my miseries, but great have been my faults; let me then expiate them as I ought; let me retire to peace, penitence and prayer; let me pray for the souls of those who fell by an untimely death on my account, and let me make my peace with Heaven by devoting my future days to retirement. You, who are, who ever will be dear to my heart, who will be a principal object in my orisons, you must strengthen my resolutions; you must approve of my conduct, and though the heart murmurs, the reason must be convinced. And now, Sir,"