"For he through sin's long labyrinth had run, CHILDE HAROLD. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1854. 249. W 372, ALICE WENTWORTH. CHAPTER I. Wild Darrell is an altered man. SCOTT. ONE fine afternoon, something more than six years from the period at which this tale commences, an English lady and gentleman were returning leisurely from a short country walk, to their temporary abode in one of the smaller German watering-places, which hap VOL. II. B pened to be a good deal frequented that season. The lady, who looked somewhat older than her companion, had a slight and elegant figure, though below the middle size; but her walk was languid and her whole appearance was rather contrasted with, than suited to, the youthful gaiety of her dress, and the elaborate arrangement of the fair ringlets which overhung cheeks whose bloom had departed, though the pretty and delicate features they surrounded still retained that conscious expression too often seen in the faces of those who are, or have been, a great deal admired. The gentleman, whose rough shooting dress rendered the lady's gay attire yet more conspicuous, possessed remarkable beauty of person and features: dark brown hair, which He had curled in early youth and still waved; deep blue eyes, equally expressive of reflection and feeling as of animation; and a clear but somewhat sunburnt complexion. might be three or four and thirty. His countenance was habitually grave, occasionally to the degree of sternness; and he gave but a divided attention to his companion's observations, being apparently more interested in watching, calling, and whistling to a large dog, which accompanied him. At length the lady remarked in a somewhat complaining tone, that the creature was sure to find its way home after them, and that he might as well answer her question. "What was it you wanted to know?" asked he. |