ew days the pendulums vibrated in unison, but the
hearts of the married couple obstinately pursued their separate course.
Sometimes it almost seemed as if that miracle were to be accomplished,
that was never yet attained by any work of human hands--identical
vibration; but it was only delusion, and then the consciousness of
having been deceived, was all the more sad.

Lenz thought that his disposition was very yielding, but it was not so
in reality. Annele had no wish to be pliant or submissive; she thought
that she knew everything best, she had experience in the ways of the
world; men of every country, old and young, rich and poor, had all told
her in the Inn, from the time she was a child, that she was as clever
as the day.

Annele's nature was what is called superficial, but she was also easy
to live with, lively, and active. She liked to talk much and often, but
when the conversation was over, she never thought again either of what
she had heard, or what she had said.

Lenz's disposition was more profound and solid; he was rather
apprehensive by nature, as if habitually impressed with the transitory
nature of everything in the world; he treated every subject, even the
most insignificant, with the same subtle precision that he bestowed on
his work--or as he liked to hear it called--his art.

If Annele had not recently seen people, she had nothing to talk about,
but the more quiet their life was, the more Lenz had to say. When Lenz
spoke, he always stopped working; Annele continued to speak, while
finishing the work she had on hand.

Annele liked to relate her dreams, and strangely enough she always
dreamt that she had been driving in a fine carriage with fine horses,
in beautiful scenery, and a merry party; and "how we did laugh to be
sure!" was always the burden of her narration; or else she dreamt that
she was a landlady, and that kings and princes drew up to her door, and
she made them such appropriate answers; whereas Lenz attached no
importance to dreams, and disliked her repeating them.

Lenz could scarcely say a word early in the morning; his thoughts
seemed to awake by degrees; he continued to dream long with his eyes
open, and even while he was working. Annele on the contrary, the
instant she opened her eyes, was like a soldier at his post, armed and
ready; she commenced the day zealously, and all half-waking thoughts
were hateful to her; she was and continued to be the smart, lively,
landlord's daugh