nefs, which rather betrayed remorfe and confufion, than expreffed any real fatisfaction. Albert obferved it; and after opening fome letters, he drily asked her, whether there was any news, and who fhe had seen in his absence? She answered, after fome hesitation," Werter spent an hour here yesterday."-" He chufes his time well," faid Albert; and went into his room. Charlotte remained alone for a quarter of an hour. The prefence of a man she esteemed and loved, gave a new turn to her thoughts: fhe recollected all his kindness, the generofity of his character, his attachment to her; and the reproached herself for hav

ing

ing fo ill requited him. A fecret impulfe prompted her to follow him; fhe went to his room and took her work with her, as fhe fometimes used to do. She asked him when fhe went in, if he wanted any thing? he faid, "No," and began to write : fhe fat down and worked. Albert from time to time took a few turns up and down the room; and then Charlotte addreffed fome difcourfe to him: but he fcarcely made her any anfwer, and fat down again to his bureau. This behaviour was made more painful to her, by her endeavours to hide the concern fhe felt from it, and to reftrain the tears which were every moment ready to

flow.

flow. They had passed an hour in this irksome fituation, when the arrival of Werter's fervant compleated Charlotte's diftrefs. As foon as Albert had read the note, he turned coldly to his wife, and faid, Give him the piftols-I wish him a good journey." Thefe words were a

66

thunder-ftroke to Charlotte fhe got up, and tottering, walked flowly to the wall, with a trembling hand took down the pistols, and by degrees wiped off the duft. She would have made ftill more delay, had not a look from Albert obliged her to leave off. She then delivered the fatal arms to the fervant, without being able to speak a single word; folded

7

folded up her work, and went directly to her room, overcome with mortal grief, and her heart foreboding dreadful calamities. Sometimes she was upon the point of going to her husband, to throw herself at his feet, and to acquaint him with all that had happened the preceding evening; to tell him her fault, and her apprehenfions :-but then she forefaw that it would be useless, and that Albert would certainly not be perfuaded to go to Werter's house. Dinner was ferved; and a friend of Charlotte's, whom the defired to ftay with her, helped to fupport the converfation. When Werter heard that Charlotte had given the piftols

with

with her own hand to his fervant, he received them with transport. He eat fome bread, and drank a glafs of wine, fent his fervant to dinner, and then began to write.]

To Charlotte in continuation.

-They have been in your hands; you wiped the dust from them: I give them a thousand kiffes; you have touched them. Ah ! 'Heaven approves and favours my defign. It is you, Charlotte, who furnish me with the fatal inftruments; I wished to receive my death from your hand, and from your hand I am going to receive it. I have been enquiring of my fervant you trembled when

2

you