He was standing in this agitated state, when the Marchioness entered, followed by Ferdinand and Don Garcia. On perceiving that Marcella was not in the room, she expressed some alarm at her disappearance; and accompanied by the physician, hastened to seek her in the adjoining apartment.
Ferdinand glanced in the kindling face of his friend, and conjectured better than his mother. He drew near him. "De Montemar," said he, in a lowered voice, "shall I guess your meditations?"
"No, Ferdinand, I would not extend my offence; and yet you have read me ill, if I have been able to hide it from you!"
"And who have you offended, my brother?" asked Ferdinand, drawing close to him, and in a tone so peculiar, that Louis's bounding heart beat against the side of his friend as he rapidly answered,
"Say not that word again, or you will undo me!"
"De Montemar," returned Ferdinand, "hope, as I have done, against possibilities!"
Louis's eyes demanded what he meant.
Ferdinand continued; "I dare not say more: my father's return will tell you the rest!"
"Your brother?" repeated Louis.
"My brother!" answered Ferdinand, and strained him to his breast.