White Sulphur papers; or, Life at the springs of Western Virginia

JOURNAL OF A LADY. 95
Monday,
We went to Lovers' Retreat, this evening, for the
first time. C. and I., with two gentlemen, who called
for us at the appointed time, five o'clock. Upon
going to the door, we were a little surprised to know
that we were to walk, but Mr. said that it
would spoil the poetry of the expedition, if we were
to ride,
and besides, the place was unapproachable
in a carriage ; so we started, and rambled through
the
woods for more than two miles over bramble
and briar, and a.t last came to this much-celebrated
spot, in a very lonely part of the wood, which had
been the scene of so many courtships, and romantic
adventures ; which had been written in verse, and
meted in song. We sat down by the side of the
large rock, v*diere many had wliispered before us,
and tried to feel very sentimental.
The trees in our immediate presence, v^'ere carved
with names and initials, some of which the bark had
overgrown, and many v/ere unintelligible. One of
tlie
c^entlernen v/ith us was very conversant with all
the technicalities of the spot, having been here
frequently before; and gave as many interesting
descriptions of the persons v/ho had figured here at
various times, with many amusing details.
He asked us if we had never heard the story of
the Count : he said it was a romance in real life