of maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of
former days of enchantment--alas, not one! a solitary being, tossed
on the wild ocean of life--it is long since I drained thine
enchanted cup to the dregs!

But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the little town
with plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. He spent
my gold profusely; and as he expressed himself rather reservedly
concerning his distinguished master (for I did not wish to be
named), the good people began to form rather extraordinary
conjectures.

As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel returned to
conduct me to it. We set out on our journey. About a league from
the town, on a sunny plain, we were stopped by a crowd of people,
arrayed in holiday attire for some festival. The carriage stopped.
Music, bells, cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang
through the air.

Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of
maidens, all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in
resplendent loveliness, and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses
the stars of night. She advanced from the midst of her companions,
and, with a lofty yet winning air, blushingly knelt before me,
presenting on a silken cushion a wreath, composed of laurel
branches, the olive, and the rose, saying something respecting
majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not comprehend; but the
sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated my senses and my
whole soul: it seemed as if some heavenly apparition were hovering
over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good