The Mysterious Sketch

not chance. What is chance? There is no such thing; it is

sumed his walk down the corridor. The portrait of Hedwige, in all

sing my eyes, I saw that we were

ogs a feed. When the master's away the servants n

g one's interest and affections. I was much surprised to see in the half-light of the alcove the reclining figure of the count leaning upon his

ice, holding out his hand. "My faithful Sperver has often mention

ued under more favourable circumstances. A li

eplied. "I feel my

mistaken,

ast favour, to have a present

uch presentiments falsif

depends upon the expression of the firmness of his convictions; the eye of the sufferer penetrates into the innermost soul of his consciousness; if he believes that he can discover

nt seemed to regain confidence; he again pressed my hand, a

e and an old lady, no doubt her governess, seat

suddenly the picture in the

in a woman's smile! Seek not, then, for unmixed joy and pleasure! Her smile serves but to veil untold sorrows, anxiety for the future, even heartrending cares. The m

lections when the lord o

d but consult my wishes I be

s; she fixed her eyes on the floor

f seeing myself surrounded by a young family, and of pressing grandchildre

hich this was said I felt deeply moved with

unt, who kept his watchfu

ur choice. We will go to court. There you will have a hundred opportunities of marrying with distinction and wit

pau

many private motives, at work, that mere modesty should make it our duty to place ourselves out of hearing of

on, "you will get better. Heaven will not take you from those who

osal? Is it not fair and natural? Am I to be deprived of the consolations vouchsafed t

ve, my

your reason fo

ormed-I have consec

. She stood like the sculptured Madonna in Hugh's to

young countess understand by signs how gladly I would hear her give th

"so you will look on and see your father perish? A word would

man, for it is God's gift;

t scornfully, "to release you from your plain duty. But

eplied gently. "But it i

the man's teeth. He lay apparently calm,

ight of you is o

stood by agitated wit

about you to give me-something that will destroy me like a thunderbolt? It wou

d convulsively, his

nd advanced

uriously-"stay till

venturing to interfere between Father and

wn health, for the sake of mere justice and fai

s the future? Is there a knife her

stroy his child's life. But she, calm though deadly pale, knelt at the door, which was standing open, and outside I c

e count is such a worthy, good man. If you would b

, and did not cha

anum; he sank back with a sigh, and soon his panting and irregular breath

rver and I watched their slowly retreating figures. There was a calm grandeur in the

down the long corridor

said gravely, "wha

ring. This girl's incredible firm