looked at it with the refreshment of rest in my
own heart, and the brightness of the clean-washed earth and heaven about
it and above it, I could afford to smile at the womanish foreboding and
chill of the night before.

Brunow was still sleeping, and I was loath to disturb him; so dressing
myself carelessly but without noise, I went down-stairs, and there
munched a fragment of black bread and drank a draught of milk. Then
having tried in vain to say that I wanted a towel, I contrived to
express myself to the landlord's pretty daughter by signs. I pointed
out-of-doors, made a pantomime of undressing, diving, and swimming, and
then a further pantomime of rubbing myself down. At this she understood,
supplied me with what I wanted, and led me to the door, whence she
pointed to the left, and then seemed by a sweeping motion of the hand to
indicate a turning to the right. I took the way thus signalled, and in
a very little time found myself in a sequestered spot by the water-side,
which looked as if it might have been made for my purpose. A great
boulder as big as a moderate-sized house protected the place from view
on the village side, and the place was bowered in trees. A short, soft
grass made a delightful footing, and on the opposite side of the river
a fallen tree had been trimmed into convenient shape for diving from.
A narrow track worn through the grass showed that this place was
frequently approached. I was seated and in the act of unlacing my heavy
mountain boots, when I heard a cheery and melodious voice singing;
and, looking up, I saw at a little distance through the trees a young
Austrian officer in undress, strolling at an easy pace towards me. He,
too, had evidently come out for a morning dip, for he was swinging a
towel in his right hand, and was lounging straight towards the river.

As he came nearer I saw that he was handsome in an effeminate sort of
way, with a slight lady-like sort of figure, a blond mustache, so light
in color as to be almost invisible at a distance, and fine girlish eyes
of a light blue. As he saw me in turn he gave me a good-morning in a
cheery tone, and I returned his salutation. He noticed my accent at once
and said,

"Ah! An Englishman?" I answered, "Yes;" and having disembarrassed myself
of the heavy boots, stood up to throw off my jacket. "And a soldier?" he
said. Then speaking in English this time, but with a very laughable
and halting accent--an accent, I should be inclined to