nd, which I held in mine, alone gave me the
consciousness of her real presence. Then suddenly a bright refulgence
spread over her countenance. She felt it, opened her eyes and looked
upon me wonderingly. The wonderful brightness of her eyes, which the
half-closed eyelids covered as with a veil, shone like the lightning.
I looked around and at last saw that the moon had arisen in full
splendor between two peaks opposite the castle, and brightened the lake
and the village with its friendly smiles. Never had I seen Nature,
never had I seen her dear face so beautiful, never had such holy rest
settled down upon my soul. "Marie," said I, "in this resplendent
moment, let me, just as I am, confess my whole love. Let us, while we
feel so powerfully the nearness of the superearthly, unite our souls in
a tie which can never again be broken. Whatever love may be, Marie, I
love you and I feel, Marie, you are mine for I am thine."

I knelt before her, but ventured not to look into her eyes. My lips
touched her hand and I kissed it. At this she withdrew her hand from
me, slowly at first and then quickly and decidedly, and as I looked at
her an expression of pain was on her face. She was silent for a time,
but at last she raised herself and said with a deep sigh:

"Enough for to-day. You have caused me pain, but it is my fault.
Close the window. I feel a cold chill coming over me as if a strange
hand were touching me. Stay with me--but no, you must go. Farewell!
Sleep well! Pray that the peace of God may abide with us. We see each
other again--shall we not? To-morrow evening I await you."

Oh, where all at once had this heavenly rest flown? I saw how she
suffered, and all that, I could do was to quickly hurry away, summon
the English lady and then go alone in the darkness of night to the
village. Long time I wandered back and forth about the lake, long my
gaze strayed to the lighted window where I had just been. Finally, the
last light in the castle was extinguished. The moon mounted higher and
higher, and every pinnacle and projection and decoration on the lofty
walls grew visible in the fairy-like illumination. Here was I all
alone in the silent night. It seemed to me my brain had refused its
office, for no thought came to an end and I only felt I was alone on
this earth, that it contained no soul for me. The earth was like a
coffin, the black sky a funeral pall, and I scarcely knew whether I was
living or h