One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled
a party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with Fanny at a
little distance from the rest of the company, and pouring into her
ear the usual well-turned phrases, while she was demurely gazing on
vacancy, and now and then gently returning the pressure of my hand.
The moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud at our back. Fanny
perceived only her own shadow before us. She started, looked at me
with terror, and then again on the ground, in search of my shadow.
All that was passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her
countenance, that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter
had I not suddenly felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her
to fall from my arm in a fainting-fit; shot with the rapidity of an
arrow through the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw myself
into the first conveyance I met with, and returned to the town,
where this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary Bendel. He was
alarmed on seeing me: one word explained all. Post-horses were
immediately procured. I took with me none of my servants, one
cunning knave only excepted, called Rascal, who had by his
adroitness become very serviceable to me, and who at present knew
nothing of what had occurred--I travelled thirty leagues that night;
having left Bendel behind to discharge my servants, pay my debts,
and bring me all that was necessary.

When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms,
vowing to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future.

We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and
mountains; and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier
between myself and the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was