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"I will not attempt to console you; but will simply relate the

circumstances of the transaction.

"Last Thursday (May 7th), I, my niece, and your two brothers,

went to walk in Plainpalais. The evening was warm and serene, and

we prolonged our walk farther than usual. It was already dusk

before we thought of returning; and then we discovered that

William and Ernest, who had gone on before, were not to be found.

We accordingly rested on a seat until they should return.

Presently Ernest came, and enquired if we had seen his brother;

he said, that he had been playing with him, that William had run

away to hide himself, and that he vainly sought for him, and

afterwards waited for a long time, but that he did not return.