Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 1.djvu/16

 ing a blank in the great lottery of matrimony, strengthened by some terrifying examples within the circle of his friends, made him hesitate so long to choose a partner in his joys and cares, 'till he felt himself too infirm for the toils inflicted on the beasts of burthen, yoked to the cart of matrimony.—But he became, alas! too late, sensible of the bad consequences of his cowardice, when he began to want a tender nurse, a soother in his gloomy hours, and a sweet comforter amidst the self-created cares of hoary age. In order to disperse the clouds of gloomy dismal fancies, the usual companions of solitary bachelors, he took the resolution of undertaking a journey as far as the duty incumbent on his office would allow him, and left the care of his house to his maiden sister.

He was so fortunate as to meet, on his journey, with many friends of his earlier days, the companions in his former studies, and the partners of his academical life: At