Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/115

I have not the smallest doubt but that my friend implicitly believed every syllable he told me. Louisa's story was known to none but such whose interest it was to keep it secret. The Countess, or more properly speaking, the lady he had married, withdrawing herself and child, declaredly to him, for ever. The death of his uncle soon after that of his father, to whom only he was accountable for his actions, left him at liberty to promulgate what stories he pleased. None were interested either to doubt or to investigate them.—From our earliest acquaintance, I had understood he was going to make a tour to England; and when he had obtained my permission to address Theresa, he warmly solicited us both to join in his intended plan, which coinciding with our inclinations.—When you met with me at the village, I was returning to this house, with the double purpose of making preparations for the wedding, and at least a twelvemonth's absence. The Count and my friend were to join us in a week, when the marriage was to be com-