DEPARTMENT OF FALSE PROMISES |
| DIRECTOR Jesper Ito |
ABOUT
I must be of the party, nor is it probable we shall return till daybreak. Hope much, for all will go well. I have reasons for hastening the journey, and whatever suspicions may be of me, suspend them till I have proved you have not been deceived by false promises: but much depends on the destruction of this note."
Convinced it was dictated by his friend, Ethelwald felt ashamed to own, even to himself, that those suspicions had actually assailed him, to the detriment of the worthy Roderigo; and they were banished, with resolution to resist in future every shade of doubt, let his conduct be what it might, till opportunities occurred for explanation: and, pleased with the idea of seeing his mother alone when they were gone, he remained but a short time in his own apartment.
, On returning to that he had before quitted, he found both his father and Roderigo present, when the former said—" Henrico, my friend," pointing to Roderigo, " and I shall be absent some hours, but on our return shall be able to fix the night of our departure."
" In the mean time, young captain," said the latter, sarcastically, "you must take care of the troop: the novelty may afford you some amusement," »
Ethelwald coolly replied, he imagined them too well disciplined to follow his example, which would be to seek his bed at a very early hour. ,
Without regarding his answer, Francisco continued giving some instructions to one of the banditti present; and both Roderigo .and himself shortly after took their leave of the rest, while Ethelwald, without that ceremony, left them, to seek his mother, to whom he related all that had passed in his presence relative to the projected removal, as also the contents of the note she had delivered, and which she told him was given her by Roderigo a few hours before; though unable to comprehend all that it contained, she argued from it a belief that more had transpired than they were aware of, or he was warranted at present to reveal.