In a moment she was safe on the other side; but on the middle of the plank she had turned to kiss her hand to some of her more timid friends, and it was then that I fell in love with her.

No doubt it was the very place for romance, if one was sufficiently clad; but I am not 'susceptible,' as it is called, and I had never loved before.

On the other hand, I was always a firm believer in love at first sight, which, as you will see immediately, is at the very root of my present sufferings.
"The other tourists, their fears allayed, now crossed the plank, but I hurried away anywhere; and found myself an hour afterward on a hillside, surrounded by tinkling cows.

All that time I had been thinking of a plank with a girl on it.

I returned hastily to the inn, to hear that the heroine of the bridge and her friends had already driven off up the pass.