Year: 1876

eventful period OF my life arrived. Ihls was
when was about thirty.seven years Of age,
having been rather more than fifteen years in
possession of my estates. was still unmar-
ried, nor had I ever seriously thought of ta-
king a wife, although there was more than
one beautiful and accomplished FTdulsin of
my acquaintance who would have bestowed
upon me her hand, had sought it, in consid-
Grafton of my wealth and high position. The
charms of none of these proved sufficiently
powerful to attract my heart; and it was not
until accident threw into my way. one Of the
loveliest and most amiable of Gods creatures,
that felt an awakening of the holy sentiment
of love. ..... ...... a ......


my castle stood among the mountains, in
beautiful but lonely ppot. Below it ran a
precipitous road, winding intricately among
precipices, and though fraught with no dan
ger to those accustomed to pursue it, was Of
ten discom6ting to imprudent travellers who
ventured to traverse it without guide.


zone dark and stormy night, some Of my
servants, whose apartments fronted on that
side of the mountain crossed by the most dan
gerous portion of this road, were alarmed by
hearing cries, and on proceeding with lanterns
to the spot from whence they arose, found thst
serious accident had occurred. A travelling
carriage, containing an elderly gentleman and
his daughter, and driven by careless and ig-
norant coachman, had been overturned. One
Of the horses was so injured as to be unfit for
use, and the gentleman was in a senseless
state from bruise on the head, received in
falling against rock. The alarm was quick
" given. reused the whole household, and
had preparations instantly made for the re-
ceptiou of the unlucky wanderers, whom de-
sired to be brought to the castle without de-
lay. Indeed, I went myself to superintend
the transportation of the wounded gentleman,
over whom his daughter, Young girl of not
more than seventeen or eighteen summers,
hungin an agony ofgrief Never shall for
pet my sensations on beholding this exquisite.
ly lovely creature, bathed in tears, and en-
deavoring, with fondest assiduity, to restore
her father to consciousness. Her distress, her
beauty, her 6lial tenderness, and her forlorn
and unprotected situation, all combined to
arouse the warmest sympathies of my heart.
/ procured the aid of an experienced surgeon,
and through his skill the sufferer was in some
degree restored but his recovery was still
doubtful, and it was pronounced impossible
for him to continue his journey under several
weeks, as be had received shock which made
long rest and the most careful nursing mat
ters of absolute necessity. I placed suite Of
apartments at the disposal of his daug hter
and himself, desiring them to consider them.
selves entirely at home, and to lay aside all
idea of proceeding farther until they could do
so with perfect safety and comfort.


"There was no alternative for them but to
sooept 7ofor, and many protestations
of gratitude, which I, of course, disclaimed,
they took possession of the rooms allotted to
them. Fortunately the injury which the gen.
tleman, whom l shall style Count D., sup
pressing the full name, had sustained, proved
more tedious than dangerous in it's conse-
quences, and bis daughters heart was speedily
lightened by the physicians assurance that be
considered his recovery certain, though likely
to be slow. I esteemed it most fortunate
chance which had brought them to my door,
and as days passed by, and the invalid's re-
turning strength permitted of some friendly
intercourse between US, found myself yield
ing irresistibly, to the force Of charms, both OF
body and mind, more powerful than any had
yet encountered d-those of his daughter, the
beautiful, amiable Clara-my adored, lost
one-lost to me forever"