- end_line
- 12626
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T03:55:03.886Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 12565
- text
- lavender-scented _billet-doux_, and hurriedly breaking the seal (a
heart, transfixed with an arrow) I read by the light of the moon the
following:--
‘GENTLE SIR,--If my fancy has painted you in genuine colours, you
will on the receipt of this, incontinently follow the bearer where
she will lead you.
‘INAMORATA.’
‘The deuce I will!’ exclaimed I. ‘But soft!’ And I reperused this
singular document, turned over the billet in my fingers, and examined
the handwriting, which was femininely delicate, and I could have sworn
was a woman’s. Is it possible, thought I, that the days of romance are
revived? No, ‘The days of chivalry are over!’ says Burke.
As I made this reflection, I looked up, and beheld the same figure which
had handed me this questionable missive, beckoning me forward. I started
toward her; but, as I approached, she receded from me, and fled swiftly
along the margin of the river at a pace, which, encumbered as I was with
my heavy cloak and boots, I was unable to follow; and which filled me
with sundry misgivings as to the nature of the being who could travel
with such amazing celerity. At last, perfectly breathless, I fell into a
walk; which my mysterious fugitive perceiving, she likewise lessened her
pace, so as to keep herself still in sight, although at too great a
distance to permit me to address her.
Having recovered from my fatigue, and regained my breath, I loosened the
clasp of my cloak, and inwardly resolving that I would come at the
bottom of the mystery, I desperately flung the mantle from my shoulders,
and dashing my beaver to the ground, gave chase in good earnest to the
tantalising stranger. No sooner did I from my extravagant actions
announce my intention to overtake her, than with a light laugh of
derision, she sprang forward at a rate, which in attempting to outstrip,
soon left me far in the rear, heartily disconcerted and crestfallen, and
inly cursing the _ignis fatuus_ that danced so provokingly before me.
At length, like everyone else, learning wisdom from experience, I
thought my policy lay in silently following the footsteps of my
eccentric guide, and quietly waiting the _dénouement_ of this
extraordinary adventure. So soon as I relaxed my speed, and gave
evidence of having renounced my more summary mode of procedure, the
stranger, regulating her movements by mine, proceeded at a pace which
preserved between us a uniform distance, ever and anon looking back like
a wary general to see if I were again inclined to try the mettle of her
limbs.
After pursuing our way in this monotonous style for some time, I
observed that my conductress rather abated in her precautions, and had
not for the last ten or fifteen minutes taken her periodical survey over
her shoulder; whereat plucking up my spirits, which I can assure you,
courteous reader, had fallen considerably below zero by the ill-success
of my previous efforts, I again rushed madly forward at the summit of my
speed, and having advanced ten or twelve rods unperceived, was
flattering myself that I should this time make good my purpose; when,
turning suddenly round, as though reminded of her late omission, and
descrying me plunging ahead like an infuriated steed, she gave a slight
audible scream of surprise, and once more fled, as though helped forward
by invisible wings.
- title
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