Chapter 13

           Inowhastentothemoremovingpartofmystory.Ishallrelateeventsthatimpressedmewithfeelingswhich,fromwhatIhadbeen,havemademewhatIam.

           "Springadvancedrapidly;theweatherbecamefineandtheskiescloudless.Itsurprisedmethatwhatbeforewasdesertandgloomyshouldnowbloomwiththemostbeautifulflowersandverdure.Mysensesweregratifiedandrefreshedbyathousandscentsofdelightandathousandsightsofbeauty.

           "Itwasononeofthesedays,whenmycottagersperiodicallyrestedfromlabour—theoldmanplayedonhisguitar,andthechildrenlistenedtohim—thatIobservedthecountenanceofFelixwasmelancholybeyondexpression;hesighedfrequently,andoncehisfatherpausedinhismusic,andIconjecturedbyhismannerthatheinquiredthecauseofhisson’ssorrow.Felixrepliedinacheerfulaccent,andtheoldmanwasrecommencinghismusicwhensomeonetappedatthedoor.

           "Itwasaladyonhorseback,accompaniedbyacountry-manasaguide.Theladywasdressedinadarksuitandcoveredwithathickblackveil.Agathaaskedaquestion,towhichthestrangeronlyrepliedbypronouncing,inasweetaccent,thenameofFelix.Hervoicewasmusicalbutunlikethatofeitherofmyfriends.Onhearingthisword,Felixcameuphastilytothelady,who,whenshesawhim,threwupherveil,andIbeheldacountenanceofangelicbeautyandexpression.Herhairofashiningravenblack,andcuriouslybraided;hereyesweredark,butgentle,althoughanimated;herfeaturesofaregularproportion,andhercomplexionwondrouslyfair,eachcheektingedwithalovelypink.