just received, my presence appeared very necessary and much desired in Germany. As, however, at this intelligence, the tears began to appear in the eyes of his endearing grandchild, he approached her, and putting his arm round her waist, exclaimed, in his peculiar tone of kindness and affection, “Nay, my dear child, you must not weep, but rather smile and be happy. Behold” he continued, pointing exultingly to the letter, “now, I not only believe, but I am convinced that this young man is worthy of you. There,” he said, in an affectionate and faltering tone, taking the hand of Liesli, and conducting her to me—“there, take the child of my only beloved and lamented son, who fell for his country, and who now reposes in Liesli’s mother’s native land, far, far distant from us. You are both good and virtuous, live as happy together as I once did with my Anna Iwanowa; may God bless you, and may he ever watch and protect you.”
Overwhelmed with joy and surprise, we embraced the good old man, and since the last eight days the incomparable Liesli has been my wife.
The ensuing spring we intend visiting the venerable hermit, and the grave of my Liesli’s mother in the churchyard at Shwytz. From thence we shall proceed to my native country, and the rest—time will unfold.
*****
The foregoing pages I have extracted from the letters of my happy friend, the Baron Hermann von . How blest is he who gives his hand and heart to a poor girl, so rich as to bring the beloved husband a marriage dower of innocence and virtue! From such the blessing of Heaven will never be withheld.
The good hermit in the meanwhile has departed this life—for a better!
