art of mankind are crazed,
without choosing to confess it: nay, the very wisdom of thousands is
arrant madness."

It seemed as if the worthy old man himself felt ashamed of his
passionate vehemence; for he immediately began talking on other
subjects. He made Edward sit down by him, and had some breakfast
brought, which was quite against his usual custom. "Thus we shall be
able," he then continued, "to settle a number of matters this morning,
which on other days we may perhaps hardly find leisure for."

The door was again lockt, and the servant was ordered not to interrupt
their conversation on any account. "I feel," Herr Balthasar then
began, "that I am growing old; I must take thought and provide for the
future, as I know not whether I am doomed to die a slow lingering
death, or a sudden unforeseen one. If I draw up no settlement of my
property, if I die without a will, that spendthrift in my native town,
who has made the beloved of my youth so unhappy, will be my next
natural heir: and verily it appalls me to think that my large fortune
may hereafter be misused to maintain that despicable glutton in his
rioting. All my poor people, all the hands now actively employed in
this spot, would again pine away and be condemned to beggary and
sloth. It is a sacred duty to forestall this. What are your views, my
young friend, for your future life?"

Edward was a good deal embarrast by this address. Some time back
indeed he had formed certain plans, and had even meant to speak to the
old man about them, in the hope of profiting by his experience: but
since his lovely foster-daughter had appeared to him in so different a
light, since he had felt so strongly attracted toward her, he was no
longer equally forward and confident. He could not make up his mind
whether to declare or conceal his affection; for notwithstanding the
familiarity with which Balthasar treated him, by many of the old man's
feelings and views he found himself estranged and perplext.

"You are hesitating," said the old man after a while; "you have not
enough reliance in me, because you do not know me. I look upon it as
one of my duties to provide as a father for you: you are honest,
sensible, diligent, and kind-hearted; you are perfectly verst in the
various branches of my business; and I feel a confidence in you such
as I have seldom been able to put in anybody. Your exertions for me
and my establishments, your prudence and integrity, everything obliges
me