of, and which is become a thousand times dearer to me now that Char lotte has fat by the fide of it. I looked around me, and recalled the time I had paffed there, when my heart was unoccupied and alone. "Dear spring," said I, “ I have not fince that time enjoyed cool repose by your fresh stream; and often paffing haftily by, I have not even feen you." I fixed my eyes upon Charlotte, and was ftruck with a lively fenfe of all that I poffefs in her. LET. LETTER XVII. July 8. OW can I be fo childish? Ho I depend on every turn and change of countenance. How can I be fo childish ?We have been at Walheim: the ladies went in a carriage, but got out to walk. Whilst we were walking, I thought the eyes of Charlotte-but I was mistakenHowever I will tell you in two words, for I am now dying with fleep. When the ladies got into their coach again, young W. Selftadt, Andran, and myself, were talking to them at the window; the young young men were gay and full of fpirits. I watched Charlotte's eyes; they wandered from one to the other, but did not light on me; upon me, who stood there motionless, and who faw nothing but her. My heart was bidding her adieu a thousand and a thousand times, and she did not even look at me. The coach drove off, and a tear was ready to ftart. I followed her with my eyes; I faw her put her head out of the window. Alas! was it for me that she looked out? I know not; and uncertainty is my comfort perhaps. - Good night. I fee my own weakness. LET. LETTER XVIII. July 10. U fhould fee how foolish I You look in company when her name is mentioned, when any body talks of her, particularly when they afk me how I like her?-How I like her! I deteft the phrafe. What muft the man be who liked Charlotte, whofe heart and fenfes were not totally captivated by her?-How I like her!-A little while ago, afked how I liked Offian? I was LET LETTER XIX. July 13 No, I am not miftaken-I read in her eyes that she is inte rested for me; I feel it. And I may believe my own heart, which tells me That she loves me! Oh! how the idea exalts me in my own eyes! How-r may tell you, for you are capable of understanding it-How I honour myself fince I have been beloved by her! Is it presumption, or is it a conscioufnefs of the truth? |