"I am certainly not ill," replied Ferdinand; "that is, I have no bodily complaints; but I feel a weight on my spirits which I cannot shake off."
"Ah! my friend," returned the Count, "this inactive life ill agrees with a discontented mind. I am sensible that the present composure of mine is but temporary: I can easily allow for your feelings, and am provoked that my haste to finish all my affairs here, compels me to leave you so much alone. In our present state of mind (added he, with a faint smile) we are not fit to be trusted alone; company and active employments suit us much better than solitude."
Ferdinand was about to reply, when a servant entered with a packet for him; being a stranger to the hand, he opened it hastily, and saw the name of D'Alenberg. "Ah! cried he, here is a large packet from Mr. D'Alenberg; from its bulk I dare say it contains the history of the poor Louisa."
