"Yes, Matilda, the higher world is nearer to us than we usually believe. Here already we live in it, and we see it closely interwoven with our earthly nature." "Thou wilt yet reveal much that is glorious to me, beloved?" "O! Matilda, from thee alone cometh the gift of divination. Everything that I have is indeed thine. Thy love will lead me into the sanctuaries of life, and the most sacred recesses of the mind; thou wilt fill me with enthusiasm, wilt excite me to the highest contemplation. Who knows that our love will not change to wings of flame bearing us upward, and carrying us to our heavenly home, ere old age and death reach us? Is it not a miracle already that thou art mine, that I hold thee in my arms, that thou lovest me, and that thou wilt be mine forever?" "To me also everything seems possible, and I plainly feel a gentle flame kindling within me. Who knows that it does not transfigure us, and gradually dissolve all earthly ties? Only tell me, Henry, whether thou hast that boundless confidence in me, that I have in thee. Yet I never have felt towards any one as I do towards thee; not even to my father, whom I love so dearly." "Dear Matilda, it really torments me, that I cannot tell thee everything at once, that I cannot at once give my whole heart to thee. For the first time in my life am I perfectly frank. No thought, no feeling can I longer conceal from thee,--thou must know everything. My whole being shall mingle itself with thine. A most boundless resignation to thee can alone satisfy my love. In that indeed it consists. It is truly a most mysterious flowing together of our most secret and personal existence." "Henry, two beings can never thus have loved each other." "I cannot believe it possible, for till now no Matilda has lived." "And no Henry!" "Swear to me once more that thou art mine. Love is an endless repetition." "Yes, Henry, by the invisible presence of my good mother, I swear to be thine forever." "I swear to be thine forever, Matilda, as surely as love, God's presence, is with us." A long embrace and countless kisses sealed the eternal alliance of the blessed pair. CHAPTER IX. At evening some guests were present; the grandfather drank the health of the young bridal pair, and promised to give them soon a splendid marriage feast. "Of what use is long waiting?" said the old man. "Early marriages make long love. I have always observed that marriages early contracted were the happiest. In latter years there is no longer such a devotion in the marriage relation as in youth. Youth, enjoyed in common, forms an inseparable tie. Memory is the safest ground of love." After the meal more people came in. Henry asked his new father to fulfil his promise. Klingsohr said to the company, "I have promised Henry to-day to relate a tale. If it would please you I am ready to do so." "That was a wise idea of Henry's," said Swaning. "We have heard nothing from you for a long time."