“This singular insanity accompanied her wherever she went.  She kept it concealed under all sorts of forms; and although people thought her very odd, no one was observant enough or clever enough to discover the real inward reason.

“In the meantime, friends, relations, acquaintances had exhausted themselves in contrivances for pleasure parties.  Scarcely a day passed but something new and unexpected was set on foot.  There was hardly a pretty spot in the country round which had not been decked out and prepared for the reception of some merry party.  And now our young visitor, before departing, wished to do his part as well, and invited the young couple, with a small family circle, to an expedition on the water.  They went on board a large beautiful vessel dressed out in all its colors—­one of the yachts which had a small saloon and a cabin or two besides, and are intended to carry with them upon the water the comfort and conveniences of land.

“They set out upon the broad river with music playing.  The party had collected in the cabin, below deck, during the heat of the day, and were amusing themselves with games.  Their young host, who could never remain without doing something, had taken charge of the helm to relieve the old master of the vessel, and the latter had lain down and was fast asleep.  It was a moment when the steerer required all his circumspectness, as the vessel was nearing a spot where two islands narrowed the channel of the river, while shallow banks of shingle stretching off, first on one side and then on the other, made the navigation difficult and dangerous.  Prudent and sharp-sighted as he was, he thought for a moment that it would be better to wake the master; but he felt confident in himself, and he thought he would venture and make straight for the narrows.  At this moment his fair enemy appeared upon deck with a wreath of flowers in her hair.  ‘Take this to remember me by,’ she cried out.  She took it off and threw it at the steerer.  ‘Don’t disturb me,’ he answered quickly, as he caught the wreath; ’I require all my powers and all my attention now.’  ‘You will never be disturbed by me any more,’ she cried; ‘you will never see me again.’  As she spoke, she rushed to the forward part of the vessel, and from thence she sprang into the water.  Voice upon voice called out, ‘Save her, save her, she is sinking!’ He was in the most terrible difficulty.  In the confusion the old shipmaster woke, and tried to catch the rudder, which the young man bade him take.  But there was no time to change hands.  The vessel stranded; and at the same moment, flinging off the heaviest of his upper garments, he sprang into the water and swam toward his beautiful enemy.  The water is a friendly element to a man who is at home in it, and who knows how to deal with it; it buoyed him up, and acknowledged the strong swimmer as its master.  He soon overtook the beautiful girl, who had been swept away before him; he caught hold of her, raised her and supported her, and both