Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/183

 delighted with my wanton pranks and indulged me in every thing. Grown up, girls complained of my impudence when I was but twelve years old; and the boys of the village paid homage to my inventive genius. Nature had not dealt niggardly with me in refpect of bodily endowments; however, an unfortunate kick from a horse disfigured my face in such a manner, that the girls of the village shunned me, and my play-fellows took frequent opportunities to make me an object of their merriment. The more my female acquaintances avoided me, the more the desire of pleasing took root in my heart. As I grew up, I was given to sensuality, and persuaded my self to be in love. The object of my flame treated me with scorn, and I had reason to apprehend that my rivals were more successful than I; however the girl was poor, and I had reason to hope that her heart, which was inaccessible to my vows and prayers, would yield to presents, which