Oh! what a blessed day was that of our reunion! as I lay before the altar, the most fervent prayers of gratitude for my own escape, of entreaty for yours, flowed from my heart, and left me no leisure for observing the little incidents which occurred during the service. The lively Amabel assures me, that the eyes of the most distinguished person present, of no less a man than the Emperor’s Vice-gerent, were fixed upon me from beginning to the end. It was her prejudice in my favour, which made her imagine this: there was nothing, which could have led him to distinguish me from the other village-maidens, not even my dress; since not only prudence but my natural taste has induced me to adopt the usual garments of the Helvetian country-lasses. Still Amabel asserts, that there was a look of distinction and nobility about me, which attracted the eyes of the Lord of Landenberg; and it is certain, that during the whole of that evening he seldom suffered himself to be away from me for a single moment. Unluckily, his attentions by no means flattered me; and should I find Amabel’s suspicions likely to be verified, I shall lose no time in regaining the Convent of Engelberg. Any further explanation of what has happened to me I shall reserve for our meeting, which I now look forward to with impatience. The search after me seems to have been given up; and Gertrude has at length permitted me to disclose the secret, by which you may join us at your pleasure. In spite of the good Monk’s sermons, and of advice more savouring of prudery than sound sense, I charge you, dear Emmeline, _not_ to wait for things being carried to the greatest extremities, before you make use of the secret disclosed in this letter—and yet to fly from a father’s house without the most absolute necessity.... Alas! I know not what to _advise_; I know only, what I _wish_. Yes! earnestly, most earnestly do I wish to see you once more my companion, not only for _your_ sake, but for my own. I dare not entirely confide myself to our good Amabel: how is it possible with her talents, that she should be so partial to persons so unworthy of her esteem; and how can she be so blind as to repose such imprudent confidence in those, whose intentions are (at the best) extremely to be suspected? yet ’tis her own open guileless nature, which misguides her respecting others; and unfortunately, those others know but too well, how to turn her weakness to their own advantage. _Amabel to Emmeline._ How long a period has elapsed, since a letter from your hand reached the inhabitants of these vallies! is it not wrong to mingle so much anxiety with the pleasures of your friend, or is Bloomberg’s wife less dear to you, than the play-fellow of your childhood, Melthal’s daughter?