36 MATRIMONY AND MOONSHINE. 



a torch instead of a scythe, appeared at the door of the carriage. 

 Julia shuddered. He lighted them up the broad steps, to a suite of 

 apartments which, it was easy to perceive, had not enjoyed the honour 

 of being occupied for at least ten years. 



" You find all in disorder," said the old steward, as he placed some 

 dim candles upon a damp table. 



" That is very true," said Julia, looking mournfully about her : 

 " but where shall I sleep ?" 



The steward opened the door of a room that looked almost too 

 gloomy for a ghost to inhabit. " It was a cheerful apartment," said 

 he, in a tremulous voice, " before it fell into decay." 



" That is a vast consolation," said Julia. 



In the morning, as soon as she had arisen, Drost led her to the 

 window. 



" Look, beloved Julia !" said he, " upon this enchanting prospect." 

 Julia's eyes became animated, and glistened like the sunbeams upon 

 the little rivulet which wound through the valley. Flocks of sheep 

 were slumbering on the hills ; birds were warbling on the bending 

 twigs ; and every tree extended its blooming branches to the morn- 

 ing breeze. Julia threw her arms around Drost : " Ah !" said she, 

 softly, " with you and my Gessner, I shall be so happy in this lovely 

 spot. 



They breakfasted quietly, and hastened, arm-in-arm, into the arms 

 of nature. The sun was distressingly scorching. 



" We will seek the shade," said Julia, " for it is insufferably hot." 

 And they walked towards the thick bushes on the banks of the river, 

 where the blackbirds were singing. Thick blossoms here shaded the 

 birds, as well as the green turf beneath, on which the morning dew 

 still glistened, undried by the sun. 



" Heavens !" cried Julia, looking at her feet, " one might as well 

 walk into the river ; and she sprang back to the sunshine. Drost, of 

 course, sprang after her. They held each other by the hand, rather 

 embarrassed. 



" Now we are again in the heat," cried Julia. 



" Let us penetrate into the wood," said Drost. " There, on the hill, 

 where the sheep are feeding, is a fine view over the whole valley ; as 

 long as we live, let us never again visit the blackbirds." Julia 

 looked with delight at the lambs and the hill, and hastened into the 

 wood. 



Her strength was soon exhausted ; they had followed the sheep- 

 track. A steep ascent, of about twenty steps, still lay before them. 

 She looked back, mournfully, at Drost, as he came gasping after her, 

 and threw herself, terrified, into his arms, on seeing before her a 

 huge sun-burnt figure, with ragged hair, fierce black eye- brows, 

 and glaring eyes, holding back with one hand a panting dog, and ex- 

 tending the other towards her. " That is the shepherd," said Drost 

 quite out of breath. 



Julia trembled ; but finding herself exhausted, she placed her 

 small, delicate hand in the huge paw of the shepherd, and, shudder- 

 ingly, allowed him to assist her upwards. She then thanked him, 

 in confusion, and hurried into the wood, without bestowing a glance 

 either on the prospect or the sheep. 



