“If you do not think it looks pedantic,” answered the Captain, “I can put my meaning together with letters.  Suppose an A connected so closely with a B, that all sorts of means, even violence, have been made use of to separate them, without effect.  Then suppose a C in exactly the same position with respect to D. Bring the two pairs into contact; A will fling himself on D, C on B, without its being possible to say which had first left its first connection, or made the first move toward the second.”

“Now then,” interposed Edward, “till we see all this with our eyes, we will look upon the formula as an analogy, out of which we can devise a lesson for immediate use.  You stand for A, Charlotte, and I am your B; really and truly I cling to you, I depend on you, and follow you, just as B does with A. C is obviously the Captain, who at present is in some degree withdrawing me from you.  So now it is only just that if you are not to be left to solitude a D should be found for you, and that is unquestionably the amiable little lady, Ottilie.  You will not hesitate any longer to send and fetch her.”

“Good,” replied Charlotte; “although the example does not, in my opinion, exactly fit our case.  However, we have been fortunate, at any rate, in today for once having met all together; and these natural or elective affinities have served to unite us more intimately.  I will tell you, that since this afternoon I have made up my mind to send for Ottilie.  My faithful housekeeper, on whom I have hitherto depended for everything, is going to leave me shortly, to be married. (It was done at my own suggestion, I believe, to please me.) What it is which has decided me about Ottilie, you shall read to me.  I will not look over the pages again.  Indeed, the contents of them are already known to me.  Only read, read!”

With these words, she produced a letter, and handed it to Edward.

CHAPTER V

LETTER OF THE LADY SUPERIOR

“Your ladyship will forgive the brevity of my present letter.  The public examinations are but just concluded, and I have to communicate to all the parents and guardians the progress which our pupils have made during the past year.  To you I may well be brief, having to say much in few words.  Your ladyship’s daughter has proved herself first in every sense of the word.  The testimonials which I inclose, and her own letter, in which she will detail to you the prizes which she has won, and the happiness which she feels in her success, will surely please, and I hope delight you.  For myself, it is the less necessary that I should say much, because I see that there will soon be no more occasion to keep with us a young lady so far advanced.  I send my respects to your ladyship, and in a short time I shall take the liberty of offering you my opinion as to what in future may be of most advantage to her.