In the perfect confidence of this love, they did not at first speak of this sudden suitor (who had come like a thunder-cloud into their sunny summer sky), for rival he could scarcely be deemed by Charlie; but they referred to the last time they had been happy together in each other's society. Oh, so happy! and but two days ago!
They had ridden to Stolberg, after losing Heinrich and Herminia together in the wood (rather a common occurrence, by the way, when these four went out on excursions), and had taken shelter from a storm of rain in a village church, where a marriage ceremony had been performed before them, and they now recurred to this little episode.
'How sweetly pretty the bride looked!' said Charlie, playing with her rippling hair.
'And how happy the bridegroom!' she added, pulling Charlie's moustache, in her momentary joy, forgetful of the tears she had been shedding.
'How I envied them, Ernestine! Will our day ever come?'
'We can but hope.'
'And if it never comes?'
'I shall die—I shall die faithful to you, Carl. Faithful in life and in death!' said Ernestine, with passionate energy.
'You say this so often that you alarm me,' said Charlie, with great tenderness of tone.
'How can my promises of faith alarm you?'