Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://www.archive.org/details/3935129
2. Table of Contents added.
'This is what they are pleased to call spring in these parts! The snowdrifts thicker and thicker every minute, and the delightful north-eastwind comes in vigorous blasts which threaten to carry us away intospace, post-chaise and all. It is perfectly maddening.'
The carriage, one of the occupants of which thus gave vent to hisill-humour, was in truth working its way slowly and with difficultythrough the accumulated snow on the high-road. Notwithstanding alltheir efforts, the horses could only advance at a foot-pace, so thatthe patience of the two travellers seated in the interior of thevehicle was put to a severe test.
Of these, the younger, who was attired in an elegant travelling-suit,far too light of texture, however, for the occasion, could certainlynot be more than four-and-twenty years of age. All the hopefulness andconfidence, or rather the bright audacity of youth beamed in his frankhandsome face, in the dark eyes, which were bold and clear as thoughno trace of a shadow had ever clouded them. There was somethingpeculiarly winning and agreeable about the young man's wholeappearance, but he seemed highly impatient of the delay which nowoccurred in his journey, and gave expression to his an