1827.] Biographical Sketch of Mile. Sontag. 273 



Henrietta had laid down on his entrance. " You should know that volume," 

 said she, " for it was through you I became acquainted with it and through it 

 I became acquainted with you." 



" Ah, Jean Paul's Titian," exclaimed Werner, turning over the leaves. 



" The same ; and I now peruse it with a feeling of melancholy, since the great 

 heart from which it sprang has ceased to beat. Werner, do not think me over 

 bold if I say that I prize the work not only from its intrinsic merits, but from the 

 circumstances attending my first acquaintance with it." 



The delighted youth, taking her hand, was about to reply, when she said, 

 smiling, " Come, I will be your landlady for once, and make tea for you/* 



The equipage was accordingly introduced ; but a chord had been touched, which 

 ceased not to vibrate, and the young pair insensibly found themselves recurring 

 to the interesting tone of thought and feeling that had been started. 



" I shall never forget your attention that day," said Henrietta; "forced to 

 descend the hill on foot, whilst the carriage proceeded alone, and admiring the 

 woody landscape around, and the green valley at my feet ; the jutting rocks on my 

 ieft, and the dark forest of firs on my right. Aye," continued she, " I could 

 even paint the stone whereon I found your open book, and, curious (woman-like) 

 took it up in the idea that some traveller had forgetfully left it behind him. 

 How surprised was I, on lifting my eyes again from its pages, to find you, Werner, 

 standing by me ! What must you have thought of me ?" And she turned aside 

 her head to conceal the rising blushes. 



" I was overjoyed to think," replied he, " that my favourite author seemed 

 to interest you so deeply. I too retain the memory of that day as one of the 

 happiest of my life ; for it was then, as I escorted you to the next village, that 

 we became gradually known to each other. Ere we had reached it, I was aware. 

 Henrietta, what you were in the world, and what in your heart; whilst from you 

 I did not conceal that I was a poor musician, undistinguished, although devoted 

 to my profession." 



My readers will easily imagine that this kind of conversation was, under all the 

 circumstances, by no means the securest for a young couple who had previously 

 felt for each other an incipient attachment. Perhaps they did not wish to guard 

 themselves ; but at any rate, before the lapse of an hour, a passionate declaration 

 vras made by the youth, and received by the lady, who, in the confidence of her 

 affection, entreated her lover to continue near her, and act as her guide in her 

 precarious situation. 



" But why not abandon it, Henrietta ?" said Werner. 



" My kind friend," returned she, " reflect a while. In the theatrical profession 

 I grew up ; and was forced to accustom myself, in spite of the glittering splendour 

 wherewith we are surrounded, to many humiliations imposed on me by the station 

 Fate had pointed out. To what, indeed, besides could I resort ? I have not 

 received the education necessary to enable me to fill the situation of a governess, 

 and that of mere companion would only be a change for the worse ! The labour 

 of my hands, it is true, remains ; but the proceeds of that would be insufficient to 

 support my young and helpless brothers and sisters, for whom I sacrifice myself, 

 in order to draw them from a profession which certainly, to a heart impressed 

 with honourable principles, is in many respects irksome and dangerous." 



The seriousness of her appeal exhausted herself, and deeply moved her auditor. 

 Leaning her head upon the cushion of the sofa, she left her hand free to the 

 warm pressure of Werner, who after a while arose and paced the room in silence, 

 as if revolving in his mind some great determination. At length he resumed 

 his seat, and said " Henrietta, let us combine our efforts for your emancipation. 

 I think I know a person who, if he can be propitiated, is able amply to provide 

 for you and your's. Say, my charming girl, will you at once be mine?" She 

 answered not, but turning her eloquent eyes, into which the tears were starting, 

 full upon him, sank upon his breast, 



I will not attempt to detail the conversation which followed. Suffice it to say, 



that a plan was arranged, by virtue of which, Henrietta was to bid farewell to 



public life, taking her leave in a concert, the proceeds whereof, which would 



M.M. New Series. VOL. IV. No. 21. 2 N 



