William Is Dead! Victor, He Is Murdered!

I wish to prepare you for the woeful news, but I know it is impossible; even

now your eye skims over the page, to seek the words which are to convey to you the horrible

tidings. “William is dead!—that sweet child, whose smiles delighted and warmed my heart,

who was so gentle, yet so gay! Victor, he is murdered! “I will not attempt

to console you; but will simply relate the circumstances of the transaction. “Last Thursday (May

7th) I, my niece, and your two brothers, went to walk in Plainpalais.

The evening was warm and serene, and we prolonged our walk farther than usual.

It was already dusk before we thought of returning; and then we discovered that William and