lofty attribute.

One day I said to her, "Minna, the last day in next month will
decide my fate, and perhaps change it for the better; if not, I
would sooner die than render you miserable."

She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. "Should thy
fate be changed," she said, "I only wish to know that thou art
happy; if thy condition is an unhappy one, I will share it with
thee, and assist thee to support it."

"Minna, Minna!" I exclaimed, "recall those rash words--those mad
words which have escaped thy lips! Didst thou know the misery and
curse--didst thou know who--what--thy lover--Seest thou not, my
Minna, this convulsive shuddering which thrills my whole frame, and
that there is a secret in my breast which you cannot penetrate?"
She sank sobbing at my feet, and renewed her vows and entreaties.

Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to
solicit the hand of his daughter on the first day of the month after
the ensuing one. I fixed that time, I told him, because
circumstances might probably occur in the interval materially to
influence my future destiny; but my love for his daughter was
unchangeable.

The good old man started at hearing such words from the mouth of
Count Peter. He fell upon my neck, and rose again in the utmost
confusion for having forgotten himself. Then he began to doubt, to
ponder, and to scrutinise; and spoke of dowry, security, and future
provision for his beloved child. I thanked him for having reminded