Still she only dared to express those feelings by looks and blushes: but Erwin, who felt the same, was not confined like her by the restraints of decorum. He made use of the privilege of his sex, and not only spoke, but spoke so plainly, that little as Rosanna was skilled in the language of love, which she then first heard from his lips, she still understood his meaning; and little as she ventured to answer, still before the entertainment concluded, she had left no doubt upon his mind, that their affection was mutual. The embarrassment, which took place at their first meeting; the gift of her garland; the religious ceremonies in which they had been engaged together, and in which each had stolen a little from that which was destined for Heaven, for the purpose of bestowing it on the other; all these circumstances and a thousand other trifles, which occurred in the course of the entertainment, assured them, that an exchange of hearts had taken place, that their sentiments were sanctioned by the approbation of Heaven, and that every thing would turn out as they wished and expected. From this day forwards Erwin’s leisure was totally engrossed by Rosanna. The habitations of Tell and Melthal were not so very distant, but that by setting out at the same time the lovers were certain to meet halfway, time enough to pass some hours together undisturbed: besides the intimate connection, which subsisted between the two families, furnished too many opportunities of intercourse, to admit of their often complaining of long absence from each other. The passion, which grew stronger in their bosoms with every hour, was carefully concealed from every one; not that they had any reason to apprehend censure from their superiors; but because secrecy seemed to give an additional charm to the correspondence of their hearts, and because the goal of their desires seemed to be still at a considerable distance. The venerable Melthal, the youth’s great-grandfather, had caused him to be educated in a foreign country, and intended him for the profession of arms. Erwin had been long suffered to remain ignorant, both to what family he belonged, and to what country he owed his origin: but the good antient (whom the number of his years rather than any sensible infirmity made conscious, that the close of his existence could not be far removed) now thought proper to summon his grandson to a private conference, in which he disclosed to him many particulars of great importance.