74 Martha's eloquence. 



found that my love for the libella was not mutual ; or, 

 if it was, I may say, 



" Love, free as air, at sight of human ties 

 Spreads its light wings, and in a moment flies." 



Even so did the dragon-fly : he and my hopes vanished 

 at once. Nevertheless I showed a decided taste for an 

 insular life, and sat down watching the trout rise on 

 all sides, as happy as a king ; and I might have remained 

 there to this day, had not that kill-joy Martha, who 

 was blest with the care of me, and from whom I had 

 escaped in the morning, come upon my trail. Infuriated 

 she was (for the whole Xantippe possessed her). She 

 sallied forth like another Ceres in quest of her lost child. 

 Half frightened, half pleased, I could see her toiling 

 up the hill. " Master Harry ! Master Harry ! " resounded 

 shrilly through the woods and valleys : even now me- 

 thinks her voice rings in my ears. In vain — 



" Nor at the lawn, nor at the wood, was he." 



But when at length she returned, " alia solinga valle," 

 I stood confessed within the range of her animated optics. 

 She declared her sentiments without reserve in very 

 fluent language. I was an obstropolous brat ; a perfect 

 damon (demon), as fond of dabbling in water as a 

 sallymander. I should catch it when she got hold of 

 me, that I should. This being intelligibly explained, I 

 thought I would delay that period as long as possible. 

 To all this eloquence, therefore, answer made I none ; 

 but I believe I looked and felt rather oddly. At length, 

 seeing her amble to and fro upon the banks, and per- 

 ceiving that she had the hydrophobia strong upon her, 



