ompletion--it was in the character of a son that
you saw him kneel to me; thanking me that I would favour his love to my
daughter--to my Louise, who, therefore, has so unnecessarily conjured up
a spectre to terrify herself and us all.

In the latter part of this conversation the mother spoke in a quiet
jesting tone, which, perhaps, did more even than her simple explanation
to reassure the heart of her daughter. She pressed her hands on her
heart, and looked thankfully up to heaven.

"And if," continued her mother, "you yet entertain any doubt, talk with
your father, talk with Jacobi, and their words will strengthen mine. But
I see you need it not--your heart, my child, is again at peace!"

"Ah, thank God! thank God!" exclaimed Louise, sinking on her knees
before her mother, and covering her hands and even her dress with
kisses. "Oh, that I dared look up again to you, my mother! Oh, can you
forgive my being so weak: my being so easy of belief? Never, never shall
I forgive myself!"

Louise was out of herself, her whole frame trembled violently; she had
never before been in a state of such agitation. Her mother was obliged
to apply remedies both for mind and body, tender words and soothing
drops--to tranquillise her excited state. She besought her therefore to
go to rest, seated herself beside her bed, took her hands in hers, and
then attempted to divert her mind from the past scene, endeavouring with
the utmost delicacy to turn her mind on the Candidate and on the
Landed-proprietor as lovers. But Louise had only one thought, one
sentiment--the happy release from her doubt, and thankfulness for it.
When her mother saw that she was calmer, she embraced her, "And now go
to sleep, my dear girl," said she; "I must now leave you, in order to
hasten to one who waits impatiently for me, and that is your father. He
has been extremely uneasy on your account, and I can now make him easy
by candidly communicating all that has passed between us. For the rest I
can assure you that you have said nothing that can make us uneasy. That
I was calumniated by one person, and am so still, he knows as well as I
do. He has assisted me to bear it calmly, he is truly so superior, so
excellent! Ah, Louise, it is a great blessing when husband and wife,
parents and children, cherish an entire confidence in each other! It is
so beautiful, so glorious, to be able to say everything to each other in
love!"

FIFTH SCENE.

The garden. It is mornin