otracted. His sufferings
lasted longer than his physicians had expected, and I was glad that my
presence was so consoling and beneficial to him. After his death, I
had various business to transact, to execute his will, to make
arrangements with the remaining relatives, part of his fortune being
left to me, and to settle all to our mutual satisfaction. As journeys
were required for these matters, nearly eighteen months elapsed before
they were completed. The journeys had carried me far from our
neighbourhood, and I must confess that these circumstances, and the
pressure of business, had almost caused me to forget my friend Francis.
He had not written to me, nor had I heard any thing of him, and I was,
therefore, convinced that it was well with him; that he was married and
happy in his new condition. Being soon after near Switzerland, I made
a tour to that country, and then visited a watering place on the Rhine,
to which my medical adviser had long before recommended inc.

Here I abandoned myself to amusements, enjoyed the beauties of nature
during my rambles, and felt happier than I had been for some time.
Being one day at the _table d'hote_, I accidentally looked over the
list of visiters, and found that my friend Francis, with his wife, had
been a week in the town. I wondered he had not found me out, as my
name must have struck him in the list. However, I accounted for his
not doing so, by saying to myself that he had not looked over the
leaves attentively, that he had not heard my name mentioned, or that
possibly he might be seriously ill and would see no company. Satisfied
so far, I called upon him, and was told he was not at home. I hoped to
meet him in my walks, but perceived him nowhere. Calling the following
day, I received the same answer, that he had gone out. I left my card,
requesting he would pay me a visit or tell me when he would receive me.
I heard nothing from him. The next morning early, I called again, and
the servant again replied, with a troubled countenance, that his master
was already from home.

Now I plainly saw, that Francis did not choose to see me, and had
denied himself. I endeavoured to call to my memory, whether I had at
any time given him offence; but, after the strictest scrutiny, could
not find the least spot on my conscience respecting him. I therefore,
wrote him rather a severe letter, requiring him to see me, and that not
merely from friendship to me, but from the respe