Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/328

344 guide, as lightly and nimbly as though they were dancing a minuet. This guide was a young man, who had only, within the last half year, become incorporated into the guild of Chamouni guides, and I, therefore, felt all the less dependence upon him; but he was light-footed and agile, and, in reality, better than my old, safe, but very heavy-footed, conductor. My guide was a peasant,—Louise's was a cavalier; but Louise's was not only young, strong, and safe upon his feet, but he enjoyed the undertaking, and never thought about danger. But as for me!——

And when we found ourselves midway on the Mer de Glace, and I was desired to notice the splendid walls of a broad ice-fissure, in the abyss of which the thundering roar of waters is heard, and was called upon to admire the brightness and width of the Mer de Glace, which is even from this point, up to the very top of the mountains, where it is born—I felt myself like one doomed to death, with the rope already round his neck, who is desired to notice “the beautiful prospect!” But I said nothing, and as Louise gayly recommended me to do, I broke off little pieces of ice, and let them melt in my mouth. This, and the beaming glances of my young friend, refreshed me.

The sun shone with great heat, melting the ice, and through the latter part of the road, we went sliding and splashing through a regular ice-slush. How delighted I was when I had once more firm footing on the earth, and I saw Louise there in safety. I gathered and kissed a little common crimson flower,