I must request: use no more writing-sand with the dear notes you
send me. Today I raised your letter hastily to my lips, and it
set my teeth on edge.

JULY 26.

I have often determined not to see her so frequently. But who
could keep such a resolution? Every day I am exposed to the
temptation, and promise faithfully that to-morrow I will really
stay away: but, when tomorrow comes, I find some irresistible
reason for seeing her; and, before I can account for it, I am with
her again. Either she has said on the previous evening "You will
be sure to call to-morrow," -- and who could stay away then? --or
she gives me some commission, and I find it essential to take
her the answer in person; or the day is fine, and I walk to Walheim;
and, when I am there, it is only half a league farther to her. I
am within the charmed atmosphere, and soon find myself at her side.
My grandmother used to tell us a story of a mountain of loadstone.
When any vessels came near it, they were instantly deprived of
their ironwork: the nails flew to the mountain, and the unhappy
crew perished amidst the disjointed planks.

JULY 30.

Albert is arrived, and I must take my departure. Were he the best
and noblest of men, and I in every respect his inferior, I could
not endure to see him in possession of such a perfect being.
Possession! -- enough, Wilhelm: her betrothed is here, -- a fine,
worthy fellow, whom one cannot help liking. Fortunately I was not
present at their meeting. It would have broken my heart! And he