the road and look at the
caverns of rock which it traverses by the lake side.

I had seen Sir Gordon drive off--I had heard the accustomed "_Buon
viaggio_" uttered by the whole household in chorus--and now, I was
free once more; and so escaping this noisy ceremony of leave-taking, I
sauntered listlessly forth, and took my way along the lake. The morning
was delicious; a slight breeze from the north, the pleasantest of all
the winds on the Lake of Como, was just springing up.

It is here, opposite Varenna, that the lake is widest; but nothing of
bleakness results from the greater extent of water, for the mountains
are still bold and lofty, and the wooded promontory of Bellagio dividing
the two reaches of the lake, is a beautiful feature. Its terraced
gardens and stately palaces peeping amid the leafy shade, and giving
glimpses of one of the sweetest spots the "Villegiatura" ever lingered
in.

I had got a considerable distance from the town of Varenna without
feeling it. The enchanting picture, ever presenting some new effect, and
the light and buoyant breeze from the water, and a certain feeling of
unusual lightness of heart, all aiding, I walked on without fatigue; nor
was I aware of the distance traversed, till at a little bend of the lake
I saw Varenna diminishing away--its tall poplars and taper spires being
now the most conspicuous features of the town.

At a short distance in front of me lay a little creek or bay, from one
side of which a wooden pier projected--a station for the steamers that
ply on the lake. There now Sir Gordon Howard's phaeton was standing,
surrounded with a most multifarious heap of trunks, packing-cases,
portmanteaus, and other travelling gear--signs that some portion of his
following, at least, were awaiting the arrival of the packet. Nor had
they to wait long: for as I looked, the vessel shot round the rocky
point and darted swiftly across the smooth water, till she lay scarce
moving, about a quarter of a mile from shore,--the shoal water prevented
her approaching nearer to the jetty.

With the idle curiosity of a lounger, I sat down on a rock to watch the
scene.

I know no reason for it, but I ever take an interest in the movements
of travellers. Their comings and goings suggest invariably some amusing
pictures to my mind, and many a story have I weaved for myself from
nothing but the passing glimpses of those landed hurriedly from a
steamer.

I watched, therefore, with all my usu