Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 5.djvu/68

54 herself, and said, after fetching her breath more deeply, "You abominable man, how you frightened me!" "The first disguise has led me into the second!" exclaimed I: "the former would have been unpardonable if I had only known in any degree to whom I was going; but this one you will surely forgive, for it is the shape of persons whom you treat so kindly." Her pale cheeks had coloured up with the most beautiful rose-red. "You shall not be worse off than George, at any rate! But let us sit down. I confess the fright has gone into my limbs." I sat down beside her, exceedingly agitated. "We know everything already, up to this morning, from your friend," said she, "now do you tell me the rest." I did not let her say that twice, but described to her my horror at my yesterday's figure, and my rushing out of the house, so comically, that she laughed heartily and graciously: then I went on to what followed, with all modesty, indeed, yet passionately enough, so that it might have passed for a declaration of love in historical form. At last I solemnised my pleasure at finding her again, by a kiss upon her hand, which she suffered to remain in mine. Whereas she had taken upon herself the expense of the conversation during our moonlight walk, of the night before, I now, on my part, richly repaid the debt. The pleasure of seeing her again, and being able to say to her everything that I had yesterday kept back, was so great, that, in my eloquence, I did not remark how meditative and silent she was. Once more she deeply drew breath, and I over and over again begged her forgiveness for the fright I had caused her. How long we may have sat I know not, but at once we heard some one call. It was her sister's voice. "That will be a pretty story," said the dear girl, restored to her perfect cheerfulness: "she is coming hither on my side," she added, bending so as half to conceal me; " turn away, so that you may not