what was that now to me? I had renounced all farther intercourse—I had done with him. One short moment more in the church-yard, and should I again be disappointed in finding Liesli there, I resolved to ascertain her residence of my landlady; my patience was now indeed completely exhausted. I was determined to put my purpose into immediate execution, and thus finally attain the object of my wishes. I hastened to the cemetery—but Liesli was not there! How changeable, how versatile a being is man! I felt inwardly happy at not finding her! Supported and encouraged by three successive failures of my fond hopes, I began to persuade myself that I had a right—that I was authorized, nay, obliged to seek her.
In her dwelling, unobserved by the whole world, such conference suited far better than on the summit of the Rigi, 5786 feet above the surface of the earth, at the brink of a deep, tremendous precipice, the aspect of which filled the soul with shuddering awe; or, than in this solitary abode of the dead, whose graves but ill attuned with the feelings of youthful lovers.
The hour I had proposed passing at the chapel, the last hour was expired! I arose from the low wall where I had been seated, and was on the point of retiring, when among the graves, even in the midst of the darkness of night, I could distinguish a black figure advancing towards me. My blood ran cold through my veins, for suddenly, concealed in his cowl, stood before me—the hermit!
“You were at my dwelling?” he inquired, in a tone of voice which sounded as if issuing from the tombs around us.
“Yes, venerable father,” I replied, gazing at the mysterious being before me with wonder and astonishment. How could he have learned that I was inquiring for him? Why did he come now, just at the moment when I was on the point of seeking Liesli? Whence could he come? It seemed as if some secret, subterraneous passage communicated
