of Chillon. Here, where Clarens, with its weeping-willows, is reflected in
the clear water, wandered Rousseau, dreaming of Heloise. The river Rhone
glides gently by beneath the lofty snow-capped hills of Savoy, and not far
from its mouth lies a little island in the lake, so small that, seen from the
shore, it looks like a ship. The surface of the island is rocky; and about a
hundred years ago, a lady caused the ground to be covered with earth, in
which three acacia-trees were planted, and the whole enclosed with stone
walls. The acacia-trees now overshadow every part of the island. Babette
was enchanted with the spot; it seemed to her the most beautiful object in
the whole voyage, and she thought how much she should like to land there.
But the steam-ship passed it by, and did not stop till it reached Bernex. The
little party walked slowly from this place to Montreux, passing the sun-lit
walls with which the vineyards of the little mountain town of Montreux are
surrounded, and peasants’ houses, overshadowed by fig-trees, with gardens
in which grow the laurel and the cypress.
Halfway up the hill stood the boarding-house in which Babette’s
godmother resided. She was received most cordially; her godmother was a
very friendly woman, with a round, smiling countenance. When a child, her
head must have resembled one of Raphael’s cherubs; it was still an angelic
face, with its white locks of silvery hair. The daughters were tall, elegant,
slender maidens.
The young cousin, whom they had brought with them, was dressed in
white from head to foot; he had golden hair and golden whiskers, large
enough to be divided amongst three gentlemen; and he began immediately
to pay the greatest attention to Babette.
Richly bound books, note-paper, and drawings, lay on the large table. The
balcony window stood open, and from it could be seen the beautiful wide
extended lake, the water so clear and still, that the mountains of Savoy, with
their villages, woods, and snow-crowned peaks, were clearly reflected in it.
Rudy, who was usually so lively and brave, did not in the least feel
himself at home; he acted as if he were walking on peas, over a slippery
floor. How long and wearisome the time appeared; it was like being in a
