God, yes, noble lady. But we have seen wonderful things; we
have unwarily drunk much good, and bitter woes, out of the full cup.
Now it is empty, and we may believe that the whole has been only a
trial, and, armed with wise discernment, awaits the real beginning.
The real beginning is of another fashion; and we wish not back the
first jugglery, and are on the whole glad, such as it was, to have
lived through it. I feel also within me a confidence that it must now
be better than formerly with our old friend."

"Within me too," replied the lovely widow, and then passed on.

The conversation left a deep impression upon me, but I was undecided
in myself whether I should make myself known or depart hence
unrecognized. I took my resolve. I requested paper and pencil, and
wrote these words--"It is indeed better with your old friend now than
formerly, and if he does penance it is the penance of reconciliation."

Hereupon I desired to dress myself, as I found myself stronger. The
key of the small wardrobe which stood near my bed was brought, and I
found therein all that belonged to me. I put on my clothes, suspended
my botanical case, in which I rejoiced still to find my northern
lichens, round my black polonaise, drew on my boots, laid the written
paper on my bed, and, as the door opened, I was already far on the way
to the Thebais.

As I took the way along the Syrian coast, on which I for the last time
had wandered from home, I perceived my poor Figaro coming toward me.
This excellent poodle, which had long expected his master at home,
seemed to desire to trace him out. I stood still and called to him.
He sprang barking toward me, with a thousand moving assurances of his
inmost and most extravagant joy. I took him up under my arm, for in
truth he could not follow me, and brought him with me home again.

I found all in its old order, and returned gradually, as my strength
was recruited, to my former employment and mode of life, except that
I kept myself for a whole year out of the, to me, wholly insupportable
polar cold. And thus, my dear Chamisso, I live to this day. My boots
are no worse for the wear, as that very learned work of the celebrated
Tieckius, _De Rebus Gestis Pollicilli_, at first led me to fear. Their
force remains unimpaired, my strength only decays; yet I have the
comfort to have exerted it in a continuous and not fruitless pursuit
of one object. I have, so far as my boots could carry me, become more
funda