And upon what did my catastrophe hinge?
Upon the whims of a friend and upon one oversight of my secretary.
I should have had no story to tell, I should have been a man continuously happy, affluent and at ease, early married and passing from one high office to the next higher in an uninterrupted progress of success, had it not entered the head of my capricious crony to pay me an unexpected and unannounced visit, had he not arrived precisely at the time at which he came, had he not encountered just the persons he met just where he did meet them, had not his prankishness hatched in him the vagary which led him to give quizzical replies to their questions; had I not, carried away by my elation at my prosperity and fine prospects, been a trifle too indulgent to my tenantry.
Even after, as a result, the nexus of circumstances had been woven about me and after I found myself embroiled with both my powerful neighbors, I should have escaped any evil consequences had not my secretary, than whom no man ever was more loyal to his master or more wary and inclusive in his foresight upon every conceivable eventuality, failed to forecast the possible effects of a minor omission.
When my story begins I had already had one small adventure, nothing much out of the ordinary.

Agathemer and I were returning from my final inspection of my estate.

As we rode past one of the farmsteads we heard cries for help.

Reining up and turning into the barn-yard, we found the tenant himself being attacked by his bull.

I dismounted and diverted the animal's attention.