nefficiency, this nothingness? How our
priests may censure these suggestions and represent them as devilish I
know not, but it suffices for me, that I have experienced in myself,
that such a feeling of all our energies may exist in us in divine love,
which then does not proceed from God, but from his despicable
adversary, and of which we must beware, because we, the image of God,
through our own demerits are, as it were, only shadows of shadows."

The old man arose, and walked several times up and down the garden, to
subdue the emotion, which these recollections had excited. Edmond
remained behind in deep thought, and compared the narrative of the
pastor with his own experience. Should he now view them in an other
light, or wish them effaced from the career of his life? He would have
been more satisfied, could he have heartily embittered his feelings
against the old man, towards whom, however, inclination as well as the
intercourse of soul in which he had spent his youth with his own parent
attracted him. The pastor came back smiling, and seated himself again
by the side of the subtle investigator. "It cannot be otherwise in
life," recommenced he, "each sentiment, each society, each disposition
and friendship has its history, all ascends, attains the highest summit
and falls again. Thus had the most delightful concord in our singular
intimacy already vanished, before we had been able to perceive a
change. The impetuous Lacoste had conceived a violent passion for Lucy,
and the gentle, pious creature felt very unhappy on that account,
although she at same time became reserved towards young Beauvais. At
first the latter was embarrassed at this, then vexed and irritated
against Lacoste, to whom until now he had been greatly attached, whilst
he thought that a secret inclination for this impetuous man had thus
visibly estranged his bride from him. In this mutual constraint, the
two friends avoided each other, they were however compelled to meet in
company: An explicit communication and reciprocal understanding seemed
impossible, so that the rancour took even deeper root, especially with
Lacoste, who, after some time, made but little effort to restrain from
publicly betraying his aversion to Beauvais. But the state of my own
feelings was such, that I was soon disqualified from observing others
around me. Euphemie's brother, the pride of his family, fell into an
illness, which had all the appearance of consumption, and now the