Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/75

 at the extremity of the forest, and belonged to a brother of Lafroy's, who was then valet to Lord Philippe; and by him I was introduced at it as an unfortunate young man taken under the patronage of his Lord.

"Every morning I met my brother, but met him without having the pleasure of seeing his health in the least amended. My regret at the continuance of his illness, joined to my uneasiness at being absent from home, rendered me extremely unhappy. I had been about a fortnight at the cottage, when one morning as I was preparing to walk out as usual to meet Lord Philippe, a letter arrived by a strange servant from the castle, informing me that he was so extremely ill he could not leave his room; and therefore requested, as the length of his confinement was uncertain, I would no longer delay returning home on his account.

"Notwithstanding this request, notwithstanding my strong anxiety, my ardent wishes to be again in that dear home, which contained a being more precious to me than