You will, therefore, permit me to concede your entire argument, and yet contrive means to escape your dilemma.

Your position is this, I hear you say:  “Either you have hopes of obtaining Charlotte, or you have none.  Well, in the first case, pursue your course, and press on to the fulfilment of your wishes.  In the second, be a man, and shake off a miserable passion, which will enervate and destroy you.”  My dear friend, this is well and easily said.

But would you require a wretched being, whose life is slowly wasting under a lingering disease, to despatch himself at once by the stroke of a dagger?  Does not the very disorder which consumes his strength deprive him of the courage to effect his deliverance?

You may answer me, if you please, with a similar analogy, “Who would not prefer the amputation of an arm to the periling of life by doubt and procrastination!” But I know not if I am right, and let us leave these comparisons.

Enough!  There are moments, Wilhelm, when I could rise up and shake it all off, and when, if I only knew where to go, I could fly from this place.

The same evening.

My diary, which I have for some time neglected, came before me today; and I am amazed to see how deliberately I have entangled myself step by step.  To have seen my position so clearly, and yet to have acted so like a child!  Even still I behold the result plainly, and yet have no thought of acting with greater prudence.

August 10.

If I were not a fool, I could spend the happiest and most delightful life here.  So many agreeable circumstances, and of a kind to ensure a worthy man’s happiness, are seldom united.  Alas!  I feel it too sensibly, —­ the heart alone makes our happiness!  To be admitted into this most charming family, to be loved by the father as a son, by the children as a father, and by Charlotte! then the noble Albert, who never disturbs my happiness by any appearance of ill-humour, receiving me with the heartiest affection, and loving me, next to Charlotte, better than all the world!  Wilhelm, you would be delighted to hear us in our rambles, and conversations about Charlotte.  Nothing in the world can be more absurd than our connection, and yet the thought of it often moves me to tears.

He tells me sometimes of her excellent mother; how, upon her death-bed, she had committed her house and children to Charlotte, and had given Charlotte herself in charge to him; how, since that time, a new spirit had taken possession of her; how, in care and anxiety for their welfare, she became a real mother to them; how every moment of her time was devoted to some labour of love in their behalf, —­ and yet her mirth and cheerfulness had never forsaken her.  I walk by his side, pluck flowers by the way, arrange them carefully into a nosegay, then fling them into the first stream I pass, and watch them as they float gently away.  I forget whether I told you that Albert is to remain here.  He has received a government appointment, with a very good salary; and I understand he is in high favour at court.  I have met few persons so punctual and methodical in business.