that came into my mind yesterday, at dusk, when I played to you, and my heart overflowed, so that I could not help weeping. Now I am easier; and I have been able to tell you that which, I know not why, I could not then, on any account, have brought across my lips. But now you know this, if you really love me as dearly as you say, and as I would fain believe you do, you will stay here a week longer than you have promised—won’t you? I will do all that lies in my power to please you, but then you must stay another week; indeed you must. Recollect, when that is gone, we shall never—never see each other again—and what is one short week to a whole life!”
“Mimili!” said I, “my own dear Mimili! how, if we were to remain together for good?”
“How for good?” asked she, in a mild but serious tone, as if she were alarmed, and suspected the drift of the question which her wishes had suggested.
“Mimili, pronounce my sentence,” said I, with feelings more serious and solemn than I had ever before experienced. “If you could read my heart as plainly as I can yours, you would then know what I hope you now believe, that my views with respect to you are honourable; that I love you above every thing in the world; that I cannot live without you; and that I swear, by the Almighty God, to be faith-
