Page 328 - Child's own book

and deplorable, that I cannot forbear to ask the cause of your
sorrow, assuring yon of every assistance that lies in my power.*’
— Ob, sir," answered the young' man, u nothing can remedy
my miseries; this day m3’ dear mistress is to be sacrificed to an
old jealous baibarian, who has a great estate, hut who will make
her the most miserable person in the world."— *4 Does she love
you then ?” said Leander. “ I flatter myself so," answered the
young man. *• Where is she,” continued Leander. u In a castle
at the end of this forest/' answered the lover. u Very well,” said
Leander; “ stay you here till 1 come again, and in a little while
1 will bring you good news.” lie then put 011 his little red cap,
and wished himself in the castle. He had hardly got thither
before he heard the pleasing sound of soft music ; but when he
arrived the whole castle resounded with all sorts of music; he
entered into a great room, where the friends and kindred of the
old man and young lady were assembled. Nothing could be
more amiable than she was ; but the paleness of her complexion,
the melancholy that appeared in her countenance, and the tears
that now and then dropf, as it were by stealth, from her eyes,
discovered the trouble of her mind.
Leander now became invisible, and placed himself in a corner
of the room, that he might discover wh
he eoon perceived the father and mothiT
of the maid, by their private chiding
her for not appearing with the spright-
Jiness of a bride ; which, after they bad
done, they returned to their seats.
Leander placed himself behind the
mother’b chair, and laying hia lips to
her car, “ Assure yourself," said he,
“ that if you compt-l your daughter to
give her conscnt to marry that old dotard, before eight days are
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