Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/130

 happiness is now my lot with such friends, and blest with the company of my dearest relations. Sometimes (continued she) I thought it possible the Count might have been killed by his fall; at other times, that he might be only senseless; in short, I had a hundred conjectures about him, but 'tis plain he was not much hurt, since he could return to the Castle and contrive more mischief. Now, in this land of liberty should he ever appear to persecute me again, I shall make no scruple to open the whole scenes of wickedness he has been guilty of;—there is one corroding care that hangs about my heart, but of that hereafter." She arose in visible emotion, "Come let us take a ramble in the garden after my tedious narrative." They accompanied her.

"I think, my dear sister, (said the Marquis) 'tis a justice you owe yourself and friends to institute a process against this monster." "I shall think of it, (said she) but I have many objections; at present let us drop the subject. They acquiesced.

Mrs. Courtney joined them in the garden; "Lord bless me! (said she, laughing) how eager and persevering is curiosity; here I have had three ladies dying to see the French family with me; asking ten thousand questions about their dress and their persons, their fashions, and many other matters equally important. They made a most tedious visit, and as I discovered the motive, I was at length obliged to inform them my Parisian friends saw no company until they had been introduced in town: this effectually did the business,—they rose all together, made their congeés, and put an end to their tiresome enquiries."

A week was spent at Bellvue, in all the delights of love and friendship, in little excursions round the neighbourhood, and in viewing the delightful prospects the Surrey hills afforded them.

Persons of good sense, like the present party, were never at a loss for rational amusement when at home, and on their return to the metropolis they