re,openingintothemeadow,betweentwostonepillarsedbystoneballs.FrombehindonepillarIcouldpeeproundquietlyatthefullfrontofthemansion.Iadvancedmyheadwithprecaution,desiroustoascertainifanybedroomwindow-blindswereyetdrawnup:battlements,windows,longfront—allfromthisshelteredstatiomyand.

    ThecrowssailingoverheadperhapswatchedmewhileItookthissurvey.Iwonderwhattheythought.TheymusthavesideredIwasverycarefulandtimidatfirst,andthatgraduallyIgrewveryboldandreckless.Apeep,andthenalongstare;andtheurefrommynidastrayingoutintothemeadow;andasuddenstopfullinfrontofthegreatmansion,andaprotracted,hardygazetowardsit.“Whataffectationofdiffidehisatfirst?”theymighthavedemanded;“whatstupidregardlessnessnow?”

    Hearanillustration,reader.

    Aloverfindshismistressasleeponamossybank;hewishestocatchaglimpseofherfairfacewithoutwakingher.Hestealssoftlyrass,carefultomakenosound;hepauses—fangshehasstirred:hewithdraws:notforworldswouldhebeseen.Allisstill:heagainadvances:hebendsaboveher;alightveilrestsonherfeatures:heliftsit,bendslower;nowhiseyesanticipatethevisioy—warm,andblooming,andlovely,i.Howhurriedwastheirfirstglahowtheyfix!Howhestarts!Howhesuddenlyandvehementlyclaspsinbotharmstheformhedarednot,amomentsiouchwithhisfinger!Howhecallsaloudaname,anddropshisburden,andgazesonitwildly!Hethusgraspsandcries,andgazes,becausehenolongerfearstowakenbyanysoundheutter—byanymovementhemake.Hethoughthislovesleptsweetly:hefindssheisstonedead.

    Ilookedwithtimorousjoytowardsastatelyhouse:Isawablaedruin.