I bite my lips, and feel infinite scorn for those who tell me to
be resigned, because there is no help for it. Let me escape from
the yoke of such silly subterfuges! I ramble through the woods;
and when I return to Charlotte, and find Albert sitting by her
side in the summer-house in the garden, I am unable to bear it,
behave like a fool, and commit a thousand extravagances. "For
Heaven's sake," said Charlotte today, "let us have no more scenes
like those of last night! You terrify me when you are so violent."
Between ourselves, I am always away now when he visits her: and I
feel delighted when I find her alone.

AUGUST 8.

Believe me, dear Wilhelm, I did not allude to you when I spoke so
severely of those who advise resignation to inevitable fate. I
did not think it possible for you to indulge such a sentiment.
But in fact you are right. I only suggest one objection. In this
world one is seldom reduced to make a selection between two
alternatives. There are as many varieties of conduct and opinion
as there are turns of feature between an aquiline nose and a flat
one.

You will, therefore, permit me to concede your entire argument,
and yet contrive means to escape your dilemma.

Your position is this, I hear you say: "Either you have hopes of
obtaining Charlotte, or you have none. Well, in the first case,
pursue your course, and press on to the fulfilment of your wishes.
In the second, be a man, and shake off a miserable passion, which
will enervate and destroy you." My dear friend, this is well and