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her forever But God was th Letters cae to read

them; I had condemned myself to do it as an expiation, and while I read

her soft cos, her love-sorrows, I felt in my heart the same

sorrows, the same disconsolate wretchedness; tears streamed from my

eyes, and I flayed my breast with my nails in utter despair! Ah, at such

et God and my repentance; how often did

I press those letters to my lips and call my beloved by the tenderest

naetting all,

all, I wanted to rush to her presence, fall down at her feet, and be

blessed only through her, even if my eternal salvation was thereby lost!

But as it, what then restrained my feet, what suddenly arrested

those words of insane passion upon my lips and irresistibly drew me

down upon my knees to pray? It was God, who then announced Himself to

ave th to

understand my love and always leave her letters unanswered until they

finally ceased to come--until her coer heard! The sacrifice was lad, for my heart was forever

broken, and never, since then, has a smile of happiness played upon

my lips But in my soul has it become tranquil and serene, God dwells

there, and within led

and overcome, who have expiated their sins with a free will and flayed

breast"