or an intimacy without their relatives or themselves pronouncing it
love, or what they call love. They lose much on this account. The
maiden knows not what slumbers in her soul, and what might be awakened
by earnest conversation with a noble friend; and the young man in turn
would acquire so much knightly virtue if women were suffered to be the
distant witnesses of the inner struggles of the spirit. It will not
do, however, for immediately love comes in play, or what they call
love--the quick beating of the heart--the stormy billows of hope--the
delight over a beautiful face--the sweet sentimentality--sometimes also
prudent calculation--in short, all that troubles the calm sea, which is
the true picture of pure human love------"

She checked herself suddenly, and an expression of pain passed over her
countenance. "I dare not talk more to-day," said she; "my physician
will not allow it. I would like to hear one of Mendelssohn's
songs--that duet, which my young friend used to play years ago. Is it
not so?"

I could not answer, for as she ceased speaking and gently folded her
hands, I saw upon her hand a ring. She wore it on her little
finger--the ring which she had given me and I had given her. Thoughts
came too fast for utterance, and I seated myself at the piano and
played. When I had done, I turned around and said: "Would one could
only speak thus in tones without words!"

"That is possible," said she; "I understood it all. But I must not do
anything more to-day, for every day I grow weaker. We must be better
acquainted, and a poor sick recluse may certainly claim forbearance.
We meet to-morrow evening, at the same hour; shall we not?"