ould cease
to love me. That is what I fled from.

I still fear the future, and the time when you will love me no more. But
all my powers of resistance are shattered by this one truth: _I love_.
For the first and only time in my life. Therefore I implore you to come
to me; but now, at once. Do not wait a week or a month. My lime trees
are fragrant with blossom. I want you, Joergen, now, while the limes
are flowering. Then, what you ask of me shall be done.

If you want me for a wife, I will follow you as the women of old
followed their lords and masters, in joyful submission. But if you only
care to have me for a time, I will prepare the house for my desired
guest.

Whatever you decide to do will be such an immense joy that I tremble
lest anything should happen to hinder its fulfilment....

Then let the years go by! Then let age come to me!

I shall have sown so many memories of you and happiness that I shall
have henceforth a forest of glad thoughts, wherein to wander and take my
rest till Death comes to claim me.

The sun is flashing on the window-panes; the sunbeams seem to be weaving
threads of joy in rainbow tints.

You child! How I love you!...

Come to me and stay with me--or go when we have had our hour of delight.

* * * * *

The letter has gone. Jeanne has rowed to the town with it.

She looked searchingly at me when I gave it to her and told her to hurry
so that she should not lose the evening post. Both of us had tears in
our eyes.

I will never part with Jeanne. Her place is with me--and with him. I
stood at the window and watched her pull away in the little white boat.
She pulled so hard at the oars. If only she is strong enough to keep it
up.... It is a long way to the town.

Never has the evening been so calm. Everything seems folded in rest and
silence. There lies a majesty on sky and earth. I wandered at random in
the woods and fields, and scarcely seemed to feel the ground beneath my
feet. The flowers smell so sweet, and I am so deeply moved.

How can I sleep! I feel I must remain awake until my letter is in his
hands.

Now it is speeding to him through the quiet night. The letter yearns
towards him as I do myself.

I am young again.... Yes, young, young!... How blue is the night! Not a
single light is visible at sea.

If this were my last night on earth I would not complain. I feel my
happiness drawing so near that my heart seems to open and drink i