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Elizabeth seemed happy; my tranquil demeanour contributed greatly

to calm her mind. But on the day that was to fulfil my wishes and

my destiny, she was melancholy, and a presentiment of evil

pervaded her; and perhaps also she thought of the dreadful secret

which I had promised to reveal to her on the following day. My

father was in the meantime overjoyed, and, in the bustle of

preparation, only recognised in the melancholy of his niece the

diffidence of a bride.

After the ceremony was performed a large party assembled at my

father's, but it was agreed that Elizabeth and I should commence

our journey by water, sleeping that night at Evian and continuing

our voyage on the following day. The day was fair, the wind

favourable; all smiled on our nuptial embarkation.