Fruits and vegetables composed their principal diet; but
once a fortnight the old woman was dispatched through
the opening already mentioned, which was at other times
so secured by her master, that no hand but his own could
remove the intricate fastenings. This expedition had
for its object the purchase of bread and animal food at
the nearest market; and every time she sallied forth an
oath was administered to the crone, the purport of which
was, not only that she would return, unless prevented by
violence or death, but that she would not answer any
questions put to her, as to who she was, whence she came,
or for whom the fruits of her marketing were intended.
"Meanwhile, wrapped up in his books, which were chiefly
classic authors, or writers on abstruse sciences, the
misanthropical colonel paid little or no attention to
the cultivation of the intellect of his daughter, whom
he had merely instructed in the elementary branches of
education; in all which, however, she evinced an aptitude
and perfectability that indicated quickness of genius
and a capability of far higher attainments. Books he
principally withheld from her, because they brought the
image of man, whom he hated, and wished she should also
hate, too often in flattering colours before her; and
had any work treating of love been found to have crept
accidentally into his own collection, it would instantly
and indignantly have been committed to the flames.
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