’The scene upon the lake was beautiful.  One side of it is bordered by a steep crag, from which hung a thousand enormous icicles all glittering in the sun; on the other side was a little wood, now exhibiting that fantastic appearance which the pine trees present when their branches are loaded with snow.  On the frozen bosom of the lake itself were a multitude of moving figures, some flitting along with the velocity of swallows, some sweeping in the most graceful circles, and others deeply interested in a less active pastime, crowding round the spot where the inhabitants of two rival parishes contended for the prize at curling,—­an honour of no small importance, if we were to judge from the anxiety expressed both by the players and bystanders.  We walked round the little lake, supported by Hazlewood, who lent us each an arm.  He spoke, poor fellow, with great kindness to old and young, and seemed deservedly popular among the assembled crowd.  At length we thought of retiring.

’Why do I mention these trivial occurrences?  Not, Heaven knows, from the interest I can now attach to them; but because, like a drowning man who catches at a brittle twig, I seize every apology for delaying the subsequent and dreadful part of my narrative.  But it must be communicated:  I must have the sympathy of at least one friend under this heart-rending calamity.

’We were returning home by a footpath which led through a plantation of firs.  Lucy had quitted Hazlewood’s arm; it is only the plea of absolute necessity which reconciles her to accept his assistance.  I still leaned upon his other arm.  Lucy followed us close, and the servant was two or three paces behind us.  Such was our position, when at once, and as if he had started out of the earth, Brown stood before us at a short turn of the road!  He was very plainly, I might say coarsely, dressed, and his whole appearance had in it something wild and agitated.  I screamed between surprise and terror.  Hazlewood mistook the nature of my alarm, and, when Brown advanced towards me as if to speak, commanded him haughtily to stand back, and not to alarm the lady.  Brown replied, with equal asperity, he had no occasion to take lessons from him how to behave to that or any other lady.  I rather believe that Hazlewood, impressed with the idea that he belonged to the band of smugglers, and had some bad purpose in view, heard and understood him imperfectly.  He snatched the gun from the servant, who had come up on a line with us, and, pointing the muzzle at Brown, commanded him to stand off at his peril.  My screams, for my terror prevented my finding articulate language, only hastened the catastrophe.  Brown, thus menaced, sprung upon Hazlewood, grappled with him, and had nearly succeeded in wrenching the fowling-piece from his grasp, when the gun went off in the struggle, and the contents were lodged in Hazlewood’s shoulder, who instantly fell.  I saw no more, for the whole scene reeled before my eyes, and I fainted