tion of this combat that they brought hither a young and beautiful woman, whose husband, an officer of high rank, had been left dead on the field of battle. This, it appears, had so much affected her, as to drive her, in the first agony of the moment, to attempt her life. Whether he had been in the French, Russian, or Austrian service, was never ascertained, for the mere mention of her husband, to whom no doubt she had been most tenderly attached, had the most alarming effect upon her feelings. Many well-disposed people here, pitying her situation, endeavoured to sooth her by every possible attention. She obtained her livelihood by giving instruction in the French and Italian languages, as well as in music, though this was barely sufficient to keep her from want. It was reported that she came from Solothurn, though her friends had dropped all further intercourse with her, which neglect she had probably brought upon herself by marrying an officer without their consent. About six months afterwards she gave birth to that same Liesli, who it appears you have already seen. Her mother devoted all her time to her education, and to instilling into her mind virtuous and pious principles; indeed her child was so beloved by every one in the place, that had she even been related to any one of our families she could not have been dearer to us. Now, since her mother is dead, she has been under the protection of the hermit, who has provided for her, and may God bless the orphan, and grant her, all her life, that happiness she so richly merits.” Involuntarily I squeezed the hand of the landlady, with a feeling of gratitude, for the pious prayer she had just uttered for the sweet girl, and felt overjoyed at hearing so much good proceed from an impartial mouth respecting her, though I was still ignorant of what I so particularly wished to be informed.
When alone in my apartment, I tormented myself in forming every possible conjecture on her present abode and fate. The hermit, then, had provided for her merely from duty and friendship, and from motives purely disinterested. I certainly considered myself capable of doing any thing for such an
