An Early Fright

           InStyria,we,thoughbynomeansmagnificentpeople,inhabitacastle,orschloss.Asmallincome,inthatpartoftheworld,goesagreatway.Eightorninehundredayeardoeswonders.Scantilyenoughourswouldhaveansweredamongwealthypeopleathome.MyfatherisEnglish,andIbearanEnglishname,althoughIneversawEngland.Buthere,inthislonelyandprimitiveplace,whereeverythingissomarvelouslycheap,Ireallydon’tseehoweversomuchmoremoneywouldatallmateriallyaddtoourcomforts,orevenluxuries.

           MyfatherwasintheAustrianservice,andretireduponapensionandhispatrimony,andpurchasedthisfeudalresidence,andthesmallestateonwhichitstands,abargain.

           Nothingcanbemorepicturesqueorsolitary.Itstandsonaslighteminenceinaforest.Theroad,veryoldandnarrow,passesinfrontofitsdrawbridge,neverraisedinmytime,anditsmoat,stockedwithperch,andsailedoverbymanyswans,andfloatingonitssurfacewhitefleetsofwaterlilies.

           Overallthistheschlossshowsitsmany-windowedfront;itstowers,anditsGothicchapel.

           Theforestopensinanirregularandverypicturesquegladebeforeitsgate,andattherightasteepGothicbridgecarriestheroadoverastreamthatwindsindeepshadowthroughthewood.Ihavesaidthatthisisaverylonelyplace.JudgewhetherIsaytruth.Lookingfromthehalldoortowardstheroad,theforestinwhichourcastlestandsextendsfifteenmilestotheright,andtwelvetotheleft.ThenearestinhabitedvillageisaboutsevenofyourEnglishmilestotheleft.