Rosanna was beautiful, but as yet no one had told her so. None of the neighbouring youths pleased her enough to make any impression upon _her_, and the consequence was, that her charms made but little impression upon _them_. With all her vivacity, there was a certain something in Rosanna’s manner, which kept the multitude in awe. Every one admired her, wished her well, was pleased to see her join in their amusements, but she produced no warmer sentiment. A kind of dignity, of which she was herself unconscious, prevented the young men from being as much at their ease with her, as with her companions, and kept even the least abashed of them at a distance: at length the society was increased by the arrival of a person, who only required to be seen, in order to inspire her with a wish to obtain from him something more than indifference, or mere dispassionate approbation. The ancient friendship established between the families of William Tell and Henric Melthal was kept up by their descendants in all its original vigour. A son of that Alwyn Melthal, who played the chief part at the capture of Rassburg, was still alive, and nearly of the same age with that old relation of William Tell, whom I formerly mentioned. Both these venerable men were still fresh and hearty in spite of their advanced time of life; such is indeed the natural effect of breathing the pure mountain air, and living far from the vices and excesses of cities. The two families often met together, and their days of festivity were always observed in common. Old Melthal had several children; but now it was rumoured, that one of them called Erwin (whom no one recollected to have ever heard of before) was just returned from foreign parts, and that a great feast was shortly to be given in honour of his safe arrival. Accordingly, the venerable chief of the Melthals made a tour through the neighbouring districts, for the purpose of inviting his relations and intimates to assemble on the green lawn before his house on an appointed day; thence to accompany his newly-arrived son to the old church on the banks of the Lake, and return thanks to Heaven for his prosperous return; and finally, to pass the remainder of the day and a good portion of the following night at his expence in various festivities and amusements.