Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/226

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"And yet I have my doubts," replied Reiberg, "whether the entertainments of these youths have not been of a much graver cast than what you may have engaged in."

"Not unlikely," answered the Count—"My friend is of a sedentary turn, and the amusements he seeks are generally of that complexion."

Reiberg viewed his companion with an air of graciousness, that seldom had pervaded his features, and, in the course of the evening, attached himself to Ferdinand with evident satisfaction.

From that day, the young friends were much together; and in the course of conversation, had both thrown out hints of mutual unhappiness, but each was too delicate to express a desire of prying into the secrets of the other. One morning it had been agreed upon between the Count and Ferdinand, that they would visit Heli and Fatima. They set off at an early hour, and soon reached the cottage.