diffolve the charm. You may have

heard of him-his name is Adol

phus Ferdinand. So look to it!

I

LETTER XXIII.

AM glad you think of coming

to the ball; I am likewife glad

there is to be a ball. Albert will be here; and novelty may attract

Werter. Yes, my dear Carolina,

Albert is on his way to Walheim. The prefence of Therefa will be a vaft relief to me, without which I fhould be at a lofs to know what to do; for, alas! I have a new leffon

to

to teach my heart. It must not appear to Albert, that I know any thing of the paffion of Werter;

and I hope it will escape Albert's attention. Indeed, indeed, myCarolina, strange fenfations arife in my bofom :-I wish, yet tremble, to fee Albert!

A gentleman came from the town yesterday on bufinefs to Therefa; and, as he ftaid late, Werter and I walked under the thick chefnut-trees, and my father joined us, on his return from the town, where he had been a few days."Charlotte," he faid, "there is a friend of yours, on the way to Walheim,

and

and means to vifit you speedily.""Dear Sir," I replied, "who is it ? ""Need I tell you?" he said, —“Albert.”—Leaning on Werter's arm, I perceived him to be agitated, and looking in his face, I faw he was pale. I was glad my father did not notice it; but he went forward, faying, "I fuppofe I shall find a house-keeper-my little Spaniard "-so he frequently calls Therefa, whose mother was a Spanish gentlewoman of good family.

The moon was juft beginning to rife, and I faid to Werter, "Let us follow my father."-"O Charlotte!" he replied, "what shall

now

now become of Werter?-I refpect Albert, because he loves you; but the idea of his approach chills me. I cannot think of entering the house again I am too much agitated. And must I then lose this heavenly intercourfe?-Muft I no more fee Charlotte?-no more pour out my foul before her, and receive comfort from her fmiles ?-Shall I not learn to regulate my spirit by her ferenity and muft I wander thro' the world deftitute of light-for without Charlotte all is darkness !"

-I replied, "These are words, Werter, which I did not expect to hear from you, and I know not how

to

to answer them. Indeed, Werter, you diftrefs me. You must either accept my friendship on fuch terms as heaven may afford, or"-"Spare," he cried, "fpare the cruel word. O Charlotte! can any thing equal the thought of separation ?-I could die, my Charlotte-nay, and ”— I interrupted him-" Alas, Werter," I faid, "I have been to blame to encourage a friendship so prejudicial to the peace of both.-But friendship is the child of peace, and Werter's paffion murders the innocent offspring of unoffending fympathy. Do not," I added, "anticipate the forrows that may never

come: