ittle pleasure in the
journey alone, but in company with you and Leonore it will make me young
again! Our heads are become bowed, my child, but in God's beautiful
nature we will lift them up again! You will go with me--is it not so?
Good! Come then with me to your mother, for it is she alone who has
managed this journey!"

With an arm round the waist of his daughter the Judge now went to his
wife; they found Leonore with her; nor was ever a quartet of Mozart's
more harmonious than that which was now performed among them.

Eva was uncommonly animated all day, but in the evening she was in a
burning fever. A feeling of anxiety went through the whole family; they
feared that a new grave was about to be opened, and disquiet was painted
on all countenances. Eva demanded, with a fervour which was not without
its feverish excitement, that the Assessor should be fetched. He came
immediately.

"Forgive me!" exclaimed Eva, extending her hand to him, "I have been so
ungrateful to you! But my heart was so disordered that it was quite
changed; but it will recover itself again. Leonore has given it health.
I am very ill now; my hands burn, my head aches! Give me my little
work-box--that I may hold it between my hands--that I may lean my head
upon it--else I shall be no better! You, my friend, will cure me that I
may again make my family happy!"

The Assessor dried his tears. As Eva leaned her head on the work-box,
she talked earnestly, but not quite coherently of the plans for the
future.

"Very good, very good," said the physician, interrupting her; "I too
will be of the establishment; I will give instruction in botany to the
whole swarm of girls, and between us we will drive them out into the
woods and into the fields, that we may see them learn all that is
beautiful in the world. But now, Eva, you must not talk any more--but
you must empty this glass."

Eva took the composing draught willingly, and was soon calmer. She was
the most obedient and amiable of patients, and showed a confidence in
her old friend which penetrated his heart. He would have sate night and
day by her bed.

Eva's sickness was a violent fever, which confined her to her bed for
nearly three weeks, and occasioned her family great uneasiness. This
sickness was, however, very beneficial for herself and for the health of
her mind; but still more beneficial was the infinite love with which she
saw herself encompassed on all sides.

One day in the beginnin