y."

"Ah! examine yourself, Jacobi," said she, "and you will judge yourself
more severely than I have done. You say that you love me, Jacobi, and
you do not dread to destroy the peace and happiness of my life. Already,
perhaps, are poisonous tongues in activity against me. I have seen this
evening glances directed upon me and upon you, which were not mild; and
thoughts and feelings are awakened in my husband's soul, which never
ought to have been awakened there. You have disturbed the peace of a
house, into which you were received with friendship and confidence. But
I know," continued she, mildly, "that you have not intended anything
criminal!--no bad intentions have guided your behaviour; folly only has
led you to treat so lightly that relationship which is the holiest on
earth. You have not reflected on your life, on your duty, and your
situation, in this family, with seriousness."

Jacobi covered his face with his hands, and a strong emotion agitated
him.

"And seriousness," again began Elise, with warmth and deep
earnestness--"seriousness! how it clothes--how it dignifies the
man!--Jacobi, the saviour of my child--my young friend! I would not have
spoken thus to you if I had not had great faith on your better--your
nobler self;--if I had not hoped to have won a friend in you--a friend
for my whole life, for myself and my Ernst. Oh, Jacobi, listen to my
prayer!--you are thrown among people who are willing from their very
hearts to be your friends! Act so that we may love and highly esteem
you; and do not change into grief that hearty goodwill which we both
feel for you! Combat against, nay, banish from your heart, every foolish
sentiment which you, for a moment, have cherished for me. Consider me as
a sister, as a mother! Yes," continued she, pausing over this word, and
half prophetically, "perhaps you may even yet call me mother; and if you
will show me love and faith, Jacobi, as you have said, I will accept
it--from my son! Oh, Jacobi! if you would deserve my blessing, and my
eternal gratitude, be a faithful friend, a good instructor of my boy--my
Henrik! Your talents as a teacher are of no common kind. Your heart is
good--your understanding is capable of the noblest cultivation--your
path is open before you to all that which makes man most estimable and
most amiable. Oh, turn not away from it, Jacobi--tread this path with
seriousness----"

"Say not another word!" exclaimed Jacobi. "Oh, I see all! forgive me,