him in his retirement, or rather in his little kingdom. But I
neglected going, and perhaps should never have gone, if chance had
not discovered to me the treasure which lay concealed in that
retired spot. Some of our young people had proposed giving a ball
in the country, at which I consented to be present. I offered my
hand for the evening to a pretty and agreeable, but rather commonplace,
sort of girl from the immediate neighbourhood; and it was agreed
that I should engage a carriage, and call upon Charlotte, with my
partner and her aunt, to convey them to the ball. My companion
informed me, as we drove along through the park to the hunting-lodge,
that I should make the acquaintance of a very charming young lady.
"Take care," added the aunt, "that you do not lose your heart."
"Why?" said I. "Because she is already engaged to a very worthy
man," she replied, "who is gone to settle his affairs upon the
death of his father, and will succeed to a very considerable
inheritance." This information possessed no interest for me.
When we arrived at the gate, the sun was setting behind the tops
of the mountains. The atmosphere was heavy; and the ladies expressed
their fears of an approaching storm, as masses of low black clouds
were gathering in the horizon. I relieved their anxieties by
pretending to be weather-wise, although I myself had some
apprehensions lest our pleasure should be interrupted.

I alighted; and a maid came to the door, and requested us to wait
a moment for her mistress. I walked across the court to a well-built
house, and, ascending the flight of steps in front, opened the door,
and saw before me the most charming spectacle I had ever witnessed.
Six children, from eleven to two years old, were running about the
hall, and surrounding a lady of middle height, with a lovely figure,
dressed in a robe of simple white, trimmed with pink ribbons. She