but for the
disturbance and inflammation of his mind, would be disposed to a similar
communication. I shall interweave with Mr. Collins's story various information
which I afterwards received from other quarters, that I may give all possible
perspicuity to the series of events. To avoid confusion in my narrative, I shall
drop the person of Collins, and assume to be myself the historian of our patron.
To the reader it may appear at first sight as if this detail of the preceding
life of Mr. Falkland were foreign to my history. Alas, I know from bitter
experience that it is otherwise. My heart bleeds at the recollection of his
misfortunes as if they were my own. How can it fail to do so? To his story the
whole fortune of my life was linked; because he was miserable, my happiness, my
name, and my existence have been irretrievably blasted.
 

                                   Chapter II

Among the favourite authors of his early years were the heroic poets of Italy.
From them he imbibed the love of chivalry and romance. He had too much good
sense to regret the times of Charlemagne and Arthur. But, while his imagination
was purged by a certain infusion of philosophy, he conceived that there was in
the manners depicted by these celebrated poets, something to imitate, as well as
something to avoid. He believed that nothing was so well calculated to make men
delicate, gallant and humane, as a temper perpetually alive to the sentiments of
birth and honour. The opinions he entertained upon these topics were illustrated
in his conduct, which was assiduously conformed to the model of heroism that his
fancy suggested.
    With these sentiments he set out upon his travels at the age at which the
grand tour is usually made, and they were rather confirmed than shaken by the
adventures that befel him. By inclination he was led to make his longest stay in
Italy, and here he fell into company with several young noblemen whose studies
and principles were congenial to his own. By them he was assiduously courted and
treated with the most distinguished applause. They were delighted to meet with a
foreigner who had imbibed all the peculiarities of the most liberal and
honourable among themselves. Nor was he less favoured and admired by the softer
sex. Though his stature was small, his person had an air of uncommon dignity.
His dignity was then heightened by certain additions which were afterwards
obliterated, an expression of frankness, ingenuity and unreserve, and a spirit
of the most ardent enthusiasm. Perhaps no Englishman was ever in an equal degree
idolised by the inhabitants of Italy.
    It was not possible for him to have drunk so deeply