Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/154

 back, a large club in one hand, and leading my dog by a dirty string with the other, I set off for my villa the next morning.

At noon I was close to the wall that enclosed my garden. I came much prepossessed against Don Antonio, but at every step which led me nearer to the villa the unfavourable impressions my mind had received, began to diminish. I found the garden altered very much for the better, and every thing bore an aspect of taste and improvement.

Apprehending left Fidello should betray me, I set him loos, and he flew with the velocity of the wind through the principal gate of the edifice, without seeming to take farther notice of me. Finding the little garden door unlocked, I slily stole in, and crept on to a thicket, which led to one wing of the villa, and there laid for some time in ambush. Soon a little boy passed by me, playing with a large Newfoundland-dog. A Lady soon followed him, accompanied by a gentleman. It was Francisca with Don Antonio. She seemed more distressed and grieved than ever, and my friend walked by the side of her, apparently