The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe — Read

O how canst thou renounce the boundless store / Of charms which nature to her vot'ry yields! / The warbling woodland, the resounding shore, / The pomp of groves, and garniture of fields; / All that the genial ray of morning gilds, / And all that echoes to the song of even; / All that the mountain's shelt'ring bosom shields, / And all the dread magnificence of heaven; / O how canst thou renounce, and hope to be forgiven! / These charms shall work thy soul's eternal health, / And love, and gentleness, and joy, impart. / - The Minstrel

St. Aubert, instead of taking the more direct road, that ran along the feet of the Pyrenees to Languedoc, chose one that, winding over the heights, afforded more extensive views and greater variety of romantic scenery. He turned a little out of his way to take leave of M. Barreaux, whom he found botanizing in the wood near his château, and who, when he was told the purpose of St. Aubert's visit, expressed a degree of concern, such as his friend had thought it was scarcely possible for him to feel on any similar occasion. They parted with mutual regret.