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trouble him ， and his distress would be heightened by her perfect candour。
She wished that he could see her in her true light， and judge her without
prejudice ； but was she anxious that he should read her inmost soul？
On the other hand ， could she deceive a being to whom all her thoughts
had ever been exposed as clearly as crystal ， and from whom no sentiment
had ever been concealed ？ These reflections made her anxious and thoughtful。
Her mind still dwelt on Werther ， who was now lost to her， but whom
she could not bring herself to resign ， and for whom she knew nothing
was left but despair if she should be lost to him for ever。
A recollection of that mysterious estrangement which had lately subsisted
between herself and Albert， and which she could never thoroughly understand，
was now beyond measure painful to her。 Even the prudent and the good have
before now hesitated to explain their mutual differences， and have dwelt
in silence upon their imaginary grievances， until circumstances have
bee so entangled ， that in that critical juncture ， when a calm explanation
would have saved all parties， an understanding was impossible。 And thus
if domestic confidence had been earlier established between them， if
love and kind forbearance had mutually animated and expanded their hearts，
it might not， perhaps， even yet have been too late to save our friend。
But we must not forget one remarkable circumstance。 We may observe
from the character of Werther's correspondence， that he had never affected
to conceal his anxious desire to quit this world。 He had often discussed
the subject with Albert ； and， between the latter and Charlotte ， it
had not unfrequently formed a topic of conversation。 Albert was so opposed
to the very idea of such an action， that ， with a degree of irritation
unusual in him， he had more than once given Werther to understand that
he doubted the seriousness of his threats ， and not only turned them
into ridicule ， but caused Charlotte to share his feelings of incredulity。
Her heart was thus tranquillised when she felt disposed to view the melancholy
subject in a serious point of view， though she never municated to
her husband the apprehensions she sometimes experienced。
Albert， upon his return， was received by Charlotte with ill…concealed
embarrassment。 He was himself out of humour ； his business was unfinished
； and he had just discovered that the neighbouring official with whom
he had to deal， was an obstinate and narrow…minded personage。 Many things
had occurred to irritate him。
He inquired whether anything had happened during his absence， and
Charlotte hastily answered that Werther had been there on the evening
previously。 He then inquired for his letters， and was answered that several
packages had been left in his study。 He thereon retired ， leaving Charlotte
alone。
The presence of the being she loved and honoured produced a new impression
on her heart。 The recollection of his generosity， kindness ， and affection
had calmed her agitation： a secret impulse prompted her to follow him
； she took her work and went to his study， as was often her custom。
He was busily employed opening and reading his letters。 It seemed as if
the contents of some were disagreeable。 She asked some questions： he
gave short answers， and sat down to write。
Several hours passed in this manner ， and Charlotte's feelings became
more and more melancholy。 She felt the extreme difficulty of explaining
to her husband， under any circumstances， the weight that lay upon her
heart ； and her depression became every moment greater ， in proportion
as she endeavoured to hide her grief， and to conceal her tears。
The arrival of Werther's servant occasioned her the greatest embarrassment。
He gave Albert a note ， which the latter coldly handed to his wife ，
saying， at the same time ， 〃Give him the pistols。 I wish him a pleasant
journey ，〃 he added， turning to the servant。 These words fell upon Charlotte
like a thunderstroke： she rose from her seat half…fainting ， and unconscious
of what she did。 She walked mechanically toward the wall， took down the
pistols with a trembling hand ， slowly wiped the dust from them， and
would have delayed longer ， had not Albert hastened her movements by
an impatient look。 She then delivered the fatal weapons to the servant，
without being able to utter a word。 As soon as he had departed， she folded
up her work ， and retired at once to her room， her heart overe with
the most fearful forebodings。 She anticipated some dreadful calamity。
She was at one moment on the point of going to her husband， throwing
herself at his feet ， and acquainting him with all that had happened
on the previous evening ， that she might acknowledge her fault ， and
explain her apprehensions ； then she saw that such a step would be useless，
as she would certainly be unable to induce Albert to visit Werther。 Dinner
was served； and a kind friend whom she had persuaded to remain assisted
to sustain the conversation ， which was carried on by a sort of pulsion，
till the events of the morning were forgotten。
When the servant brought the pistols to Werther ， the latter received
them with transports of delight upon hearing that Charlotte had given
them to him with her own hand。 He ate some bread， drank some wine， sent
his servant to dinner ， and then sat down to write as follows：
〃They have been in your hands you wiped the dust from them。 I kiss
them a thousand times —— you have touched them。 Yes ， Heaven favours
my design ， and you， Charlotte， provide me with the fatal instruments。
It was my desire to receive my death from your hands， and my wish is
gratified。 I have made inquiries of my servant。 You trembled when you
gave him the pistols， but you bade me no adieu。 Wretched ， wretched
that I am —— not one farewell ！ How could you shut your heart against
me in that hour which makes you mine for ever ？ Charlotte， ages cannot
efface the impression —— I feel you cannot hate the man who so passionately
loves you ！〃
After dinner he c