These pains are
good for me. I might almost say that they were welcome; for they serve
to bring out before me with the greater vividness her patience and all
her other graces. It is only when we suffer ourselves, that we feel
really the true nature of all the high qualities which are required to
bear suffering."

Mittler, finding his friend so far resigned, did not hesitate to
communicate the message with which he had been sent. He brought it out
piecemeal, however; in order of time, as the idea had itself arisen
between the ladies, and had gradually ripened into a purpose. Edward
scarcely made an objection. From the little which he said, it appeared
as if he was willing to leave everything to them; the pain which he was
suffering at the moment making him indifferent to all besides.

Scarcely, however, was he again alone, than he got up, and walked
rapidly up and down the room; he forgot his pain, his attention now
turning to what was external to himself. Mittler's story had stirred the
embers of his love, and awakened his imagination in all its vividness.
He saw Ottilie by herself, or as good as by herself, traveling on a road
which was well known to him--in a hotel with every room of which he was
familiar. He thought, he considered, or rather he neither thought nor
considered; he only wished--he only desired. He would see her; he would
speak to her. Why, or for what good end that was to come of it, he did
not care to ask himself; but he made up his mind at once. He must do it.

He summoned his valet into his council, and through him he made himself
acquainted with the day and hour when Ottilie was to set out. The
morning broke. Without taking any person with him, Edward mounted his
horse, and rode off to the place where she was to pass the night. He was
there too soon. The hostess was overjoyed at the sight of him; she was
under heavy obligations to him for a service which he had been able to
do for her. Her son had been in the army, where he had conducted himself
with remarkable gallantry. He had performed one particular action of
which no one had been a witness but Edward; and the latter had spoken of
it to the commander-in-chief in terms of such high praise that,
notwithstanding the opposition of various ill-wishers, he had obtained a
decoration for him. The mother, therefore, could never do enough for
Edward. She got ready her best room for him, which indeed was her own
wardrobe and store-room, with all possible