"
A rapid smile shot over the countenance of the listener. "How died
he?"
"In his rash exertions to rescue a favorite portion of his hunting
stud, he has himself perished miserably in the flames."
"I-n-d-e-e-d-!" ejaculated the Baron, as if slowly and
deliberately impressed with the truth of some exciting idea.
"Indeed;" repeated the vassal.
"Shocking!" said the youth, calmly, and turned quietly into the
chateau.
From this date a marked alteration took place in the outward
demeanor of the dissolute young Baron Frederick Von Metzengerstein.
Indeed, his behavior disappointed every expectation, and proved little
in accordance with the views of many a manoeuvering mamma; while his
habits and manner, still less than formerly, offered any thing
congenial with those of the neighboring aristocracy. He was never to
be seen beyond the limits of his own domain, and, in this wide and
social world, was utterly companionless- unless, indeed, that
unnatural, impetuous, and fiery-colored horse, which he henceforward
continually bestrode, had any mysterious right to the title of his
friend.
Numerous invitations on the part of the neighborhood for a long
time, however, periodically came in. "Will the Baron honor our
festivals with his presence?" "Will the Baron join us in a hunting
of the boar?"- "Metzengerstein does not hunt;" "Metzengerstein will
not attend," were the haughty and laconic answers.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15