"A friend of mine!" repeated Ferdinand, starting in great confusion, adding, in a tremulous voice, "any man must be highly honoured by such a distinction; but I am at a loss to guess who you mean."
"The Count's unfortunate situation sets him entirely out of the question," interrupted Mr. D'Allenberg.—"Indeed, Sir! the young Baron's predilection in favour of the Countess is not unknown to you."
"No," returned he, 'that's a point settled. The Gentleman I mean has now, I believe, neither a prior engagement or attachment, he is one who engaged my esteem the first day I saw him, from particular traits of humanity and honour that I observed in him, and from the conversations, short as they were, that gave me a perfect good opinion of his head and his heart. Unfortunate circumstances at that time stepped between me and my wishes, which are now, I believe, all done away. Are you at a loss now to know my man?"
