Under the circumstances narrated above, a determination to quit this world had now taken fixed possession of Werther’s soul.  Since Charlotte’s return, this thought had been the final object of all his hopes and wishes; but he had resolved that such a step should not be taken with precipitation, but with calmness and tranquillity, and with the most perfect deliberation.

His troubles and internal struggles may be understood from the following fragment, which was found, without any date, amongst his papers, and appears to have formed the beginning of a letter to Wilhelm.

“Her presence, her fate, her sympathy for me, have power still to extract tears from my withered brain.

“One lifts up the curtain, and passes to the other side, —­ that is all!  And why all these doubts and delays?  Because we know not what is behind —­ because there is no returning —­ and because our mind infers that all is darkness and confusion, where we have nothing but uncertainty.”

His appearance at length became quite altered by the effect of his melancholy thoughts; and his resolution was now finally and irrevocably taken, of which the following ambiguous letter, which he addressed to his friend, may appear to afford some proof.

December 20.

I am grateful to your love, Wilhelm, for having repeated your advice so seasonably.  Yes, you are right:  it is undoubtedly better that I should depart.  But I do not entirely approve your scheme of returning at once to your neighbourhood; at least, I should like to make a little excursion on the way, particularly as we may now expect a continued frost, and consequently good roads.  I am much pleased with your intention of coming to fetch me; only delay your journey for a fortnight, and wait for another letter from me.  One should gather nothing before it is ripe, and a fortnight sooner or later makes a great difference.  Entreat my mother to pray for her son, and tell her I beg her pardon for all the unhappiness I have occasioned her.  It has ever been my fate to give pain to those whose happiness I should have promoted.  Adieu, my dearest friend.  May every blessing of Heaven attend you!  Farewell.

We find it difficult to express the emotions with which Charlotte’s soul was agitated during the whole of this time, whether in relation to her husband or to her unfortunate friend; although we are enabled, by our knowledge of her character, to understand their nature.

It is certain that she had formed a determination, by every means in her power to keep Werther at a distance; and, if she hesitated in her decision, it was from a sincere feeling of friendly pity, knowing how much it would cost him, indeed, that he would find it almost impossible to comply with her wishes.  But various causes now urged her to be firm.  Her husband preserved a strict silence about the whole matter; and she never made it a subject of conversation, feeling bound to prove to him by her conduct that her sentiments agreed with his.