Over all such trials Charlotte found assistance to rise in her own inward feelings.  She knew her own determination.  Her own affection, fair and noble as it was, she would utterly renounce.

And sorely she longed to go to the assistance of the other two.  Separation, she knew well, would not alone suffice to heal so deep a wound.  She resolved that she would speak openly about it to Ottilie herself.  But she could not do it.  The recollection of her own weakness stood in her way.  She thought she could talk generally to her about the sort of thing.  But general expressions about “the sort of thing,” fitted her own case equally well, and she could not bear to touch it.  Every hint which she would give Ottilie recoiled on her own heart.  She would warn, and she was obliged to feel that she might herself still be in need of warning.

She contented herself, therefore, with silently keeping the lovers more apart, and by this gained nothing.  The slight hints which frequently escaped her had no effect upon Ottilie; for Ottilie had been assured by Edward that Charlotte was devoted to the Captain, that Charlotte herself wished for a separation, and that he was at this moment considering the readiest means by which it could be brought about.

Ottilie, led by the sense of her own innocence along the road to the happiness for which she longed, lived only for Edward.  Strengthened by her love for him in all good, more light and happy in her work for his sake, and more frank and open toward others, she found herself in a heaven upon earth.

So all together, each in his or her own fashion, reflecting or unreflecting, they continued on the routine of their lives.  All seemed to go its ordinary way, as, in monstrous cases, when everything is at stake, men will still live on, as if it were all nothing.

CHAPTER XIV

In the meantime a letter came from the Count to the Captain—­two, indeed—­one which he might produce, holding out fair, excellent prospects in the distance; the other containing a distinct offer of an immediate situation, a place of high importance and responsibility at the Court, his rank as Major, a very considerable salary, and other advantages.  A number of circumstances, however, made it desirable that for the moment he should not speak of it, and consequently he only informed his friends of his distant expectations, and concealed what was so nearly impending.

He went warmly on, at the same time, with his present occupation, and quietly made arrangements to insure the continuance of the works without interruption after his departure.  He was now himself desirous that as much as possible should be finished off at once, and was ready to hasten things forward to prepare for Ottilie’s birthday.  And so, though without having come to any express understanding, the two friends worked side by side together.  Edward was now well pleased that the cash-box was filled by their having taken up money.  The whole affair went forward at fullest speed.