d not unburden my soul to you!

"Six weeks thus passed away; I was still innocent--but madly in love
with the Count of Riverola. He was the subject of my thoughts by day--of
my dreams by night; and I felt that I could make any sacrifice to retain
his affection. That sacrifice was too soon demanded! At the expiration
of the six weeks he informed me that on the following day he must return
to Italy, whither important affairs called him sooner than he had
anticipated. He urged me to accompany him; I was bewildered--maddened by
the contemplation of my duty on the one hand, of my love on the other.
My guardian saint deserted me; I yielded to the persuasion of the
count--I became guilty--and there was now no alternative save to fly
with him!

"Oh! believe me when I declare that this decision cost me a dreadful
pang; but the count would not leave me time for reflection. He bore me
away on his fleet steed, and halted not until the tall towers of
Nauemberg Castle appeared in the distance. Then he stopped at a poor
peasant's cottage, where his gold insured me a welcome reception. Having
communicated the plan which he proposed to adopt respecting our journey
to Florence, he took an affectionate leave of me, with a promise to
return on the ensuing morning. The remainder of the day was passed
wretchedly enough by me; and I already began to repent of the step I had
taken. The peasants who occupied the cottage vainly endeavored to cheer
me; my heart was too full to admit of consolation. Night came at length,
and I retired to rest; but my dreams were of so unpleasant a nature--so
filled with frightful images--that never did I welcome the dawn with
more enthusiastic joy. Shortly after daybreak the count appeared at the
cottage, attended by one of his numerous suite--a faithful attendant on
whom he could rely implicitly. They were mounted on good steeds; and
Antonio--such was the name of the servitor--led a third by the bridle.
This one the count had purchased at an adjacent hamlet, expressly for my
use. He had also procured a page's attire; for in such disguise was it
agreed that I should accompany the count to Italy.

"I should observe that the nobleman, in order to screen our _amour_ as
much as possible, had set out from Nauemberg Castle, attended by Antonio
alone, alleging as an excuse that certain affairs compelled him to
travel homeward with as much celerity as possible. The remainder of his
suit were therefore ordered to follow