Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/54

 on her truth, and thought only ill-treatment could have induced her to quit an uncle's house, without a friend to help her.

The following day the gentleman's servant made his appearance, but to little purpose, for though Joseph was in the garden, Bertha had gained no information; but she told all she did know of the lady's coming there, the ghosts disturbing her the first night, her subsequent courage, her kindness and sudden resolution to leave them, and that she heard her say something about going to travel to Parish, but she knew no more, and she was sure Joseph knew no more than she—how should he? he never spoke twenty words to the lady." He asked who was the owner of the castle, she told his name, and with a present of another crown he took leave. Bertha looked at the money, "Ah! (said she) what a pity now I can't tell where she is; a hundred of these would make one happy for life."

A very few days after this, the old couple were at dinner, when they heard the trampling of horses; they hastily opened the door, and beheld, to their great astonishment, a carriage with three attendants, and in the carriage Joseph saw his master, Count Wolfenbach: struck with wonder, he forgot to tender his services, but stood staring at him until he alighted. Being conducted into the parlour, one of the horsemen with him, "Friend Joseph (said he) I have sold this estate, and next month another family will take possession of it." "Good Lord! (cried Joseph) what will become of me and Bertha?" "Don't be uneasy, friend Joseph, I shall take care of you; I have another estate in Suabia, a fine house and gardens, in perfect order; Bertha and you shall have the care of it, with a servant under her to keep it clean, and a man under you to work in the gardens—what say you to that?" "I am much obliged to your lordship (answered the honest man;) 'tis rather late in life for me to travel, but I must obey your pleasure, and if you have not already got a man and woman