456 PRÆTERITA-II

I ever took in Chamouni among the woods of the Pélerins, I come in to hear of my poor cousin Mary’s death. How well I recollect sitting with her on the slopes of the Breven, and reasoning about the height of La Côte: she knows it now, better than I, and thinks it less.

“CHAMOUNI, day 15th, Wednesday, June 27th.-One of the heavenly Alpine mornings, all alight: I have been trying to get some of the effect of sunrise on the Montanvert, and aerial quality of aiguilles,-in vain. Slanting rays now touch the turf by the châlet of Blaitière, as perhaps they touch poor Mary’s grave.”¹

¹ [See above, p. 434 n.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]