ul, and I was alone--I was alone.
Sympathise with me, you who know the sensibility of my heart,
you who have seen my eyes filled with tears at the simple
recital of a noble or generous action, at the simple sight of a
splendid sunset--of the sky studded with bright stars.

Do you recollect last year, on our excursion to the ruins of
Oppenfeld, on the shore of the vast lake, our reveries during
that evening, so full of calm, of poesy, and of peace? Strange
contrast! It was three days before that bloody duel, in which I
would not accept you for my second, for I should have suffered
too much for you had I been wounded before your eyes,--the duel
in which, for a dispute at play, my second unhappily killed the
young Frenchman, the Comte de Saint-Remy.

Apropos, do you know what has become of the dangerous siren whom
M. de Saint-Remy brought with him to Oppenfeld, and whose name
was, I think, Cecily David?

You will doubtless, my friend, smile with pity at seeing me thus
losing myself amongst idle recollections of the past, instead of
coming at once to the grave disclosures that I have announced my
intention of making; but, in spite of myself, I delay the time
from moment to moment. I know how severe you are, and I am
fearful of being blamed. Yes, blamed; because, instead of acting
with reflection and prudence (prudence of one and twenty,
alas!), I have acted foolishly, or, rather, I have not acted at
all as--I have suffered myself to be carried away by the stream
that urged me on, and it is only since my return from Gerolstein
that I have been awakened from the enchanting vision that has
lulled me to sleep for the last three months, and this awaking
has been a sorrowful one.

Now, my friend, my dear Maximilian, I take courage. Hear me
indulgently; I begin with fear and trembling--I dare not look at
you, for when you read these lines, how grave and stern will
your face become, stoic that you are!

After having obtained leave of absence for six months, I left
Vienna, and remained some time with my father. His health was
then good, and he advised me to visit my aunt, the Princess
Juliana, superior of the abbey of Gerolstein. I think I have
already told you that my grandfather was cousin-german to the
present duke's grandfather, and the Duke Gustavus Rodolph,
thanks to