uence on her mental state. It struck
me as very strange that the whole family, not excepting the French
lady, seemed to get into a state of much anxiety as soon as any one
began to talk to this girl, and tried to interrupt the conversation,
often breaking into it in a very forced manner. But the most
extraordinary thing of all was that, as soon as it was eight o'clock in
the evening, the young lady was reminded, first by the French lady and
then by her mother, sister, and father, that it was time to go to her
room, just as little children are sent to bed that they may not
overtire themselves. The French lady went with her, so that they
neither of them ever appeared at supper, which was at nine o'clock. The
lady of the house, probably remarking my surprise at those proceedings,
threw out (by way of preventing indiscreet inquiries) a sort of sketchy
statement to the effect that Adelgunda was in very poor health, that,
particularly about nine in the evening, she was liable to feverish
attacks, and that the doctors had ordered her to have complete rest at
that time. I saw there must be more in the affair than this, though I
could not imagine what it might be; and it was only this very day that
I ascertained the terrible truth, and discovered what the events were
which have wrecked the peace of that happy circle in the most frightful
manner.

"'Adelgunda was at one time the most blooming, vigorous, cheerful
creature to be seen. Her fourteenth birthday came, and a number of her
friends and companions had been invited to spend it with her. They were
all sitting in a circle in the shrubbery, laughing and amusing
themselves, taking little heed that the evening was getting darker and
darker, for the soft July breeze was blowing refreshingly, and they
were just beginning thoroughly to enjoy themselves. In the magic
twilight they set about all sorts of dances, pretending to be elves and
woodland sprites. Adelgunda cried, "Listen, children! I shall go and
appear to you as the White Lady whom our gardener used to tell us about
so often while he was alive. But you must come to the bottom of the
garden, where the old ruins are." She wrapped her white shawl round
her, and went lightly dancing down the leafy alley, the girls following
her, in full tide of laughter and fun. But Adelgunda had scarcely
reached the old crumbling arches, when she suddenly stopped, and stood
as if paralyzed in every limb. The castle clock struck nine.

"'"Lo