JULY26.
Ihaveoftendeterminednottoseehersofrequently.Butwhocouldkeepsucharesolution?EverydayIamexposedtothetemptation,andpromisefaithfullythatto-morrowIwillreallystayaway:but,whentomorrowcomes,Ifindsomeirresistiblereasonforseeingher;and,beforeIcanaccountforit,Iamwithheragain.Eithershehassaidonthepreviousevening\"Youwillbesuretocallto-morrow,\"——andwhocouldstayawaythen?——orshegivesmesomecommission,andIfinditessentialtotakehertheanswerinperson;orthedayisfine,andIwalktoWalheim;and,whenIamthere,itisonlyhalfaleaguefarthertoher.Iamwithinthecharmedatmosphere,andsoonfindmyselfatherside.Mygrandmotherusedtotellusastoryofamountainofloadstone.Whenanyvesselscamenearit,theywereinstantlydeprivedoftheirironwork:thenailsflewtothemountain,andtheunhappycrewperishedamidstthedisjointedplanks.
JULY30.
Albertisarrived,andImusttakemydeparture.Werehethebestandnoblestofmen,andIineveryrespecthisinferior,Icouldnotenduretoseehiminpossessionofsuchaperfectbeing.Possession!——enough,Wilhelm:herbetrothedishere,——afine,worthyfellow,whomonecannothelpliking.FortunatelyIwasnotpresentattheirmeeting.Itwouldhavebrokenmyheart!Andheissoconsiderate:hehasnotgivenCharlotteonekissinmypresence.Heavenrewardhimforit!Imustlovehimfortherespectwithwhichhetreatsher.Heshowsaregardforme,butforthisIsuspectIammoreindebtedtoCharlottethantohisownfancyforme.Womenhaveadelicatetactinsuchmatters,anditshouldbeso.Theycannotalwayssucceedinkeepingtworivalsontermswitheachother;but,whentheydo,theyaretheonlygainers.
IcannothelpesteemingAlbert.Thecoolnessofhistempercontrastsstronglywiththeimpetuosityofmine,whichIcannotconceal.Hehasagreatdealoffeeling,andisfullysensibleofthetreasurehepossessesinCharlotte.Heisfreefromill-humour,whichyouknowisthefaultIdetestmost.