ction for old castles, solitary
mountainous countries, and the historical legends connected with them.
After the wedding, we intended to take up our residence in a new house
not far distant, and only occasionally to spend a few days or hours in
the Klausenburg.

"We arrived; the gate was opened to us, and the first object that met
our view in the court-yard, from amidst the ivy that twined the high
walls, was the old mad Sibyl, whom you, my friend, knew some years ago.
My wife was terrified, and I shuddered. 'Welcome! Welcome!' cried the
old hag, jumping about with wild gestures; 'there comes the destroyer,
the woman murderer, and brings his two brides with him, whom he will
murder also.' 'How do you come here?' I exclaimed. The porter
replied, 'She must have climbed down the other side of the cliffs,
which form the extreme wall of the small garden, and must have
concealed herself among the shrubs and ruins.' 'You are right, you are
right,' screamed the old hag, 'it is pleasant to live there.'
Terrified as we were, Ernestine seemed merry, for she did not cease
laughing.

"During the days on which we celebrated the festival, Ernestine did not
appear; she had vanished; and being anxious about her, we despatched
people in search of her, when, on the third day, she returned on foot,
merry and in high spirits. She told us she had not been able to
withstand the inclination to roam about in the mountains, as she always
had had a desire to do so. 'But thus alone, without informing us?'
said Elizabeth. 'Alone!' she replied, 'No! I have kept constant
company with that old prophetess whom you so unkindly sent away. There
I have learnt many things quite new, that I never even read of, and we
have become very good friends.'

"We looked at her with astonishment. I formed an idea without
expressing it, that Ernestine was mad. So awful and ominous was her
return to our residence, such sad forebodings crowded in our minds,
that, in spite of my happiness, I felt no confidence on life, and
Elizabeth could not regain her cheerfulness.

"In other respects we were reconciled, and enjoyed the present moment,
and the beauty of the surrounding woods and mountains. Our few guests,
as well as the aunt, had left us, and we might have lived contented and
in happy union in this delightful solitude, had I not observed that my
wife avoided her sister as much as circumstances permitted. When I
asked her the reason of this, she answer