When my health was restored I began seriously to consider my situation, and the sacrament I had vowed to observe: I determined to do my duty; and if I could not love the Count, at least, to esteem and oblige him. I was then a stranger to his real disposition; I thought him severe and stern, but I soon found he was gloomy, suspicious, and revengeful. Whilst my father lived he observed some little decency towards me, but after his death, and you had quitted Vienna, my sufferings, from his causeless ill humour, cannot be described. I was now far advanced in my pregnancy, an event I looked forward to as the end of all my troubles; for I had lost my spirits, my strength, and appetite. One day he went to Vienna, he returned at night in a most horrid temper. "Prepare yourself (said he) for a journey to Switzerland, the day after to-morrow." "Good God, to Switzerland, in my situation?" "Yes, (he replied;) you can bear the journey very well, and Margarite, who is to be your nurse, shall attend you." "Indeed I am very unable to travel so far," (said I.) "I know better, (he replied;) but the reasons you have for declining, madam, make me the more anxious for it." "Well, Sir, I have no more to say, but to obey you." "You do well, madam; for any thing you could urge will have no effect upon me." I was silent; I withdrew, and passed a wretched night. The next day poor Margarite and I were employed in packing our clothes and other necessaries, and the following day, soon as it was light, we set off on our journey. We at length arrived at the old castle which Matilda has described to you. My blood chilled when I entered the gates. I was conducted to the right hand wing, which had then a door into the court, though it was afterwards bricked up. The furniture was handsome, but antique even then. "This, madam, is your apartment, and I think the Chevalier will have good luck to obtain entrance here." "Chevalier! what Chevalier,
