d develop what capacities there might be
in him. It was not for nothing that he had received in his baptism the
name of Otto, which belonged to them both.

Edward had so completely arranged everything for himself, that he could
not wait another day to carry it into execution. On their way to the
castle, they arrived at a small town, where Edward had a house, and
where he was to stay to await the return of the Major. He could not,
however, prevail upon himself to alight there at once, and accompanied
his friend through the place. They were both on horseback, and falling
into some interesting conversation, rode on further together.

On a sudden they saw, in the distance, the new house on the height, with
its red tiles shining in the sun. An irresistible longing came over
Edward; he would have it all settled that very evening; he would remain
concealed in a village close by. The Major was to urge the business on
Charlotte with all his power; he would take her prudence by surprise;
and oblige her by the unexpectedness of his proposal to make a free
acknowledgment of her feelings. Edward had transferred his own wishes to
her; he felt certain that he was only meeting her half-way, and that her
inclinations were as decided as his own; and he looked for an immediate
consent from her, because he himself could think of nothing else.

Joyfully he saw the prosperous issue before his eyes; and that it might
be communicated to him as swiftly as possible, a few cannon shots were
to be fired off, and if it was dark, a rocket or two sent up.

The Major rode to the castle. He did not find Charlotte there; he learnt
that for the present she was staying at the new house; at that
particular time, however, she was paying a visit in the neighborhood,
and she probably would not have returned till late that evening. He
walked back to the hotel, to which he had previously sent his horse.

Edward, in the meantime, unable to sit still from restlessness and
impatience, stole away out of his concealment along solitary paths known
only to foresters and fishermen, into his park; and he found himself
toward evening in the copse close to the lake, the broad mirror of which
he now for the first time saw spread out in its perfectness before him.

Ottilie had gone out that afternoon for a walk along the shore. She had
the child with her, and read as she usually did while she went along.
She had gone as far as the oak-tree by the ferry. The boy had fall