Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/127

 an indifference that covers me with pungent shame whenever I think of it; he was a living picture of sorrow, and I had not even so much feeling left to comfort him. In short, I was so completely, so thoroughly altered, that it is impossible my friends should not have noticed it.

The female heart is never entirely void of vanity; and none that is not pre-occupied, will be able to resist a firm and indefatigable exertion to gain upon it. I now was frequently in private with Caroline, and none of my other rivals was very formidable. I really imagined to have made some impression upon her heart, and that she had completely forgot the obstinate Count. I enjoyed that little, dubious happiness with a rapturous pleasure, when an accident suddenly overturned the airy edifice of my vanity at once.

We met at the country seat of a friend to celebrate a rural feast. The fine season was already on the verge; autumn had, however, sufficient charms left to make us