between the hermitage and the church-yard. “I have awaited your coming these three days,” I continued, “but in vain.”
“I know it,” he replied, in a milder tone, “a herdsman perceived you, and informed me of it. You wish for further information respecting the maiden whom you met at the steps of the chapel. What is the orphan to you? But answer me not, for the truth does not always proceed from your lips. You seek the maiden, but you may spare yourself that needless trouble—you will not find her. Her mother, in her dying moments, charged me to watch over her happiness and welfare. On the very morning when you imagined you would climb mount Rigi, Liesli departed.—She is gone to her relations, whom I had previously informed of her mother’s death, and from whom, after an interval of twelve months, I received money and instructions to send the orphan to them, provided with the necessary attendance. On the evening when you came to me, and met with Liesli, I had gone to the town for the purpose of making the proper arrangements for her departure. When you gave her the three gold pieces, she knew nothing of her intended journey; she only received intelligence of it from me on the following morning before day-break. Hearing, after leaving you in the alley of trees, the sound of money in her basket, she most naturally concluded that you alone could be the donor, and therefore delivered it to me, in order to return it to you. In the art of giving, you have as yet made but very little progress; your present has humiliated and shamed, more than it has pleased or gratified the maiden.”
“What, Liesli gone?” I exclaimed “Ah! tell me venerable father, whither is she gone? If you are indeed her friend, then tell me, for it concerns her own happiness. My intentions are good and honourable, for I wish to offer her my heart and hand, with all my fortune.”
“You,” said the hermit, half ironically, “you, who have only known her a very few hours, you would offer her your
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