Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/39

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lay-in of a little girl about two years and half ago.

This was the substance of Arnulph's information, which inspired me with the most eager desire of revenge; my soul was in tumults: I inquired what domestics were with them? He said, only a poor ignorant peasant lad, whom they had hired some miles off, and from the parish, who had no parents living, and who never went out of the Castle. I observed, from Arnulph's manner of telling his story, and words that dropped from him, that he was tired of a life so solitary, and that it would not be difficult to bribe him to my purpose. Giving him some pieces of gold, I assured him I would make his fortune if he would follow my orders, otherwise I would certainly put him to death: The alternative admitted of no consideration, for cowardice was his predominant feeling, and to that I was indebted for the relation he had made; I therefore soon arranged my plan, and kept him with me until towards night, when we set off together for the wood,