Page:Ernestus Berchtold or the Modern Œdipus.djvu/25

 pointing to the Jungfrau, whose white peak forms so prominent a feature in the view from her house, while she related the peasant’s tale of those mischievous spirits who dance upon its glittering icy coat, decked by the moon’s ray. I gained, however, health and vigour from these excursions, and I became at last one of the most noted for activity in all the canton.

I rapidly arrived at my twentieth year. My kind friend the pastor could not be induced to part with me. I was the only prop of his old age, I latterly, always accompanied him in his visits amongst the mountains, often joined him in his prayer over the dying, and frequently have I supported him at the brink of that grave, over which he was calling down the mercy of God, and which was soon to be his own refuge. My sister increased in beauty, and each day added some new charm to her person, and some additional accomplishment to her mind.