Carmilla

He turned and left the room, but came back before I had done wondering

and puzzling over the oddity of all this; it was merely to say that he

was going to Karnstein, and had ordered the carriage to be ready at

twelve, and that I and Madame should accompany him; he was going to see the

priest who lived near those picturesque grounds, upon business, and as

Carmilla had never seen them, she could follow, when she came down, with

Mademoiselle, who would bring materials for what you call a picnic,

which might be laid for us in the ruined castle.

At twelve o'clock, accordingly, I was ready, and not long after, my

father, Madame and I set out upon our projected drive.

Passing the drawbridge we turn to the right, and follow the road over

the steep Gothic bridge, westward, to reach the deserted village and

ruined castle of Karnstein.

No sylvan drive can be fancied prettier. The ground breaks into gentle

hills and hollows, all clothed with beautiful wood, totally destitute of

the comparative formality which artificial planting and early culture

and pruning impart.

The irregularities of the ground often lead the road out of its course,

and cause it to wind beautifully round the sides of broken hollows and

the steeper sides of the hills, among varieties of ground almost

inexhaustible.

Turning one of these points, we suddenly encountered our old friend, the

General, riding towards us, attended by a mounted servant. His

portmanteaus were following in a hired wagon, such as we term a cart.

The General dismounted as we pulled up, and, after the usual greetings,

was easily persuaded to accept the vacant seat in the carriage and send

his horse on with his servant to the schloss.