Come to me and stay with me—or go when we have had our hour of delight.
⁂ ⁂ ⁂
The letter has gone. Jeanne has rowed to the town with it.
She looked searchingly at me when I gave it to her and told her to hurry so that she should not lose the evening post. Both of us had tears in our eyes.
I will never part with Jeanne. Her place is with me—and with him. I stood at the window and watched her pull away in the little white boat. She pulled so hard at the oars. If only she is strong enough to keep it up.... It is a long way to the town.
Never has the evening been so calm. Everything seems folded in rest and silence. There lies a majesty on sky and earth. I wandered at random in the woods and fields, and scarcely seemed to feel the ground beneath my feet. The flowers smell so sweet, and I am so deeply moved.
How can I sleep! I feel I must remain awake until my letter is in his hands.
Now it is speeding to him through the quiet night. The letter yearns towards him as I do myself.
I am young again.... Yes, young, young!... How blue is the night! Not a single light is visible at sea.
If this were my last night on earth I would not complain. I feel my happiness drawing so near that my heart seems to open and drink in the night, as thirsty plants drink up the dew.