Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/193

 I have shed many a bitter tear during your absence!' Hunger and misery were marked in her face, and I beheld with horror that she was infected with an ignominious illness: Her tattered raiment and her whole appearance told me plainly what a miserable wretch she was. I soon guessed the origin of her abject situation, concluding by the sight of some dragoons that soldiers had been quartered in the village. 'Soldier's strumpet!" I exclaimed, and turned my back to her with an exulting laughter. It gave me some satisfaction to see her infidelity rewarded in so shocking a manner. I never had loved her sincerely."

"My mother was dead, and my house had been sold for the benefit of the creditors: I had no friend, no money, except a few groats; every body fled me like a mad dog, however I was dead to shame and disgrace. After my first imprisonment I had shunned all human society, because