No, no!... never in this world....
You shall never read this letter. Never, never! What need you know more than that I love you? I love you! I love you!
I will write to you again, calmly, humbly, and tell you the simple truth: I was afraid of the future, and of the time when you would cease to love me. That is what I fled from.
I still fear the future, and the time when you will love me no more. But all my powers of resistance are shattered by this one truth: I love. For the first and only time in my life. Therefore I implore you to come to me; but now, at once. Do not wait a week or a month. My lime trees are fragrant with blossom. I want you, Joergen, now, while the limes are flowering. Then, what you ask of me shall be done.
If you want me for a wife, I will follow you as the women of old followed their lords and masters, in joyful submission. But if you only care to have me for a time, I will prepare the house for my desired guest.
Whatever you decide to do will be such an immense joy that I tremble lest anything should happen to hinder its fulfilment....
Then let the years go by! Then let age come to me!
I shall have sown so many memories of you and happiness that I shall have henceforth a forest of glad thoughts, wherein to wander and take my rest till Death comes to claim me.
The sun is flashing on the window-panes; the sunbeams seem to be weaving threads of joy in rainbow tints.
You child! How I love you!...