under the accidental impulse of the moment, a difficult vow, which if it had been formed deliberately, might perhaps be painful and distressing.  Let me now persist in the observance of it so long as my heart shall enjoin it to me.  Do not call in any one to mediate; do not insist upon my speaking; do not urge me to eat or to drink more than I absolutely must.  Bear with me and let me alone, and so help me on through the time; I am young, and youth has many unexpected means of restoring itself.  Endure my presence among you; cheer me with your love; make me wiser and better with what you say to one another:  but leave me to my own inward self.”

The two friends had made all preparation for their journey, but their departure was still delayed by the formalities of the foreign appointment of the Major, a delay most welcome to Edward.  Ottilie’s letter had roused all his eagerness again; he had gathered hope and comfort from her words, and now felt himself encouraged and justified in remaining and waiting.  He declared, therefore, that he would not go; it would be folly, indeed, he cried, of his own accord, to throw away, by over precipitateness, what was most valuable and most necessary to him, when although there was a danger of losing it, there was nevertheless a chance that it might be preserved.  “What is the right name of conduct such as that?” he said.  “It is only that we desire to show that we are able to will and to choose.  I myself, under the influences of the same ridiculous folly, have torn myself away, days before there was any necessity for it, from my friends, merely that I might not be forced to go by the definite expiration of my term.  This time I will stay:  what reason is there for my going; is she not already removed far enough from me?  I am not likely now to catch her hand or press her to my heart; I could not even think of it without a shudder.  She has not separated herself from me; she has raised herself far above me.”

And so he remained as he desired, as he was obliged; but he was never easy except when he found himself with Ottilie.  She, too, had the same feeling with him; she could not tear herself away from the same happy necessity.  On all sides they exerted an indescribable, almost magical power of attraction over each other.  Living, as they were, under one roof, without even so much as thinking of each other, although they might be occupied with other things, or diverted this way or that way by the other members of the party, they always drew together.  If they were in the same room, in a short time they were sure to be either standing or sitting near each other; they were only easy when as close together as they could be, but they were then completely happy.  To be near was enough; there was no need for them either to look or to speak:  they did not seek to touch one another, or make sign or gesture, but merely to be together.  Then there were not two persons, there was but one person in unconscious and perfect content, at peace with itself and with the world.  So it was that, if either of them had been imprisoned at the further end of the house, the other would by degrees, without intending it, have moved forward like a bird toward its mate; life to them was a riddle, the solution of which they could find only in union.