Page:Gleanings from Germany (1839).djvu/33

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THE MAID OF SOLOTHURN.
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hold at once no less than fourteen lakes; you will see into the very heart of Swabia, and amidst the whole will rise to your view mount Jura, the Horns of St. Gothard, and the ancient town of Zurich, fourteen cantons, innumerable cities, towns, and villages; and, high above the clouds, the eternal snows and glaciers of the glorious and stately Jungfrau—all will present themselves to your admiring gaze.” “But, the chief and most beautiful object which I shall behold-to morrow, you have still forgotten,” said I to her, as I pressed her rosy fingers to my lips.

“The chief and most beautiful object?”—said she, thoughtfully, as she slowly stroked my face with her hand, without appearing conscious of it in her absence of mind.

Yourself, charming girl; you have not named yourself to me yet.”

“What am I, when the world and the many wonders we shall behold from the Rigi are in question. If you would know my name”—continued she, smiling, “they call me Liesli; of poor Swiss Liesli you will not read one word in all the books that have been written upon our beautiful Alpine country, but all will tell you of the mountains and the lakes—these are known by every one.”

“Liesli, my dear, lovely Liesli!”

“Does then my name please you?”

“Please me! ah yes! How willingly would I this night renounce all hope of rest, could I but have thee near me, to gaze upon thy lovely countenance; methinks I could for ever repeat thy name—Liesli, amiable, lovely Liesli?”

“Good night, dear sir!” said Liesli, disengaging herself timidly from my arms, “the night is now wearing on apace, and we must set out very early to-morrow, else should the sun have got the start of us, we may have reason soon to complain both of fatigue and heat when climbing up the mountain.”

She then hastily pointed out to my view the spot where we were to meet the following morning at four o’clock, and