ook, he called it the stream of oblivion,
where he now enjoyed the vernal gales and flower breathing elysium and
in Lethe separating himself for ever from the world of strife and
suffering.

The clergyman had also received the youth with the greatest cordiality;
whenever Edmond returned from his rambles, such pleasure beamed on the
countenance of the old man, that the stranger felt himself bound to his
host by kindliness and emotion. The latter frequently examined him
fixedly and as if he had known him already at an earlier period, and
then sank into a reverie as if he could not connect his recollections.

"My dear Chevalier de Valmont," (thus Edmond had named himself)
commenced the old man on the second day, as they sat at table, "the
longer you are with me, the greater pleasure do I experience in your
society. An extraordinary resemblance to an old friend almost compels
me to treat you as a beloved brother, nay, I may say as a son. It is
long since any stranger has visited me in my solitude, here I learn but
little of the world, and that is why such a visit as yours is so
acceptable to me." "I too am delighted with your society," replied
Edmond, "and I ask myself not without sadness, wherefore it should not
be granted to man to spend his days in peaceful quiet, elevated and
instructed by nature, enlivened and comforted by the simplest and most
delightful enjoyments."

"Perhaps this will be your fate my good sir." answered the priest with
vivacity, "perhaps we may then see each other very often and
confidentially, if you should only, become the possessor of yonder
castle, which is scarcely half a league distant from hence."

"And," said Edmond hesitatingly,--"if the war should rush down here
also? should this castle, this house here be consumed in flames? Where
is safety in our times?" "The Lord will protect us replied the priest,
as he has done heretofore." "And should he confer victory on the foes?"
"His will be done," prayed the old man, "for his decree is wisdom, he
is just and good, and with his might dwells love." "It almost appears,"
said Edmond surprised, "that you will not be disinclined to grant
victory to the rebels; at least you express yourself so mildly, that I
do not recognise in you the Catholic, as zealous for his religion as,
however, he ought to be."

"Let us not misunderstand each other," replied the priest, "I only
mean, that I surrender myself intirely, wholly, and unconditionally to
the wil