and to avoid, as it seemed, any further conversation with me, he
turned away, and spoke of some common-place matters with a
neighbour.

The sun's rays now being stronger, the ladies complained of feeling
oppressed by the heat; and the lovely Fanny, turning carelessly to
the grey man, to whom I had not yet observed that any one had
addressed the most trifling question, asked him if, perhaps, he had
not a tent about him. He replied, with a low bow, as if some
unmerited honour had been conferred upon him; and, putting his hand
in his pocket, drew from it canvas, poles, cord, iron--in short,
everything belonging to the most splendid tent for a party of
pleasure. The young gentlemen assisted in pitching it: and it
covered the whole carpet: but no one seemed to think that there was
anything extraordinary in it.

I had long secretly felt uneasy--indeed, almost horrified; but how
was this feeling increased when, at the next wish expressed, I saw
him take from his pocket three horses! Yes, Adelbert, three large
beautiful steeds, with saddles and bridles, out of the very pocket
whence had already issued a letter-case, a telescope, a carpet
twenty feet broad and ten in length, and a pavilion of the same
extent, with all its appurtenances! Did I not assure thee that my
own eyes had seen all this, thou wouldst certainly disbelieve it.

This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air
and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a
feeling of horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from
which I could not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure
it.