z could not resist brooding over these reproaches for days,
when he was at his work; and then one thought followed another, till a
regular edifice was formed, while Annele had long forgotten all she had
said. This kind of life, so entirely isolated, seemed to her like a
rainy summer Sunday; when you have a right to anticipate that you are
to amuse yourself, and enjoy the society of your neighbours; you are
dressed in your Sunday clothes, but the roads are deep, the rain
incessant, and staying in the house is like being in prison; but this
state Annele resolved should not continue; changed it must and shall
be, said she inwardly, and she became more irritable, and easily
provoked by every trivial occurrence, though she never admitted to
Lenz, or even to herself, the real cause of her ill-tempers.

Lenz sought peace out of the house, but she was not so displeased and
impatient at his absence, as at the mode in which he effected it. He
loitered about, and even when he was fairly out of the house, he would
often return to the door two or three times, as if he had forgotten
something. He could not say what pain it caused him, to go away in a
mood which made him entirely a changed man. He hoped that Annele might
detain him, or say some kind words, that he might be once more his
former self.

In former days, when he went on any expedition, his mother always gave
him some bread out of her cupboard, for bread is a great safeguard from
unseen dangers, especially if you chance to step upon trefoil; and a
better safeguard than the bread, was his mother's kind words. Now he
went on his way, as if the house were not his own, nor himself either.
This was the reason that he lounged about and wasted so much time, and
yet could not say what he wanted.

It must come of itself, for it is no superstition to think, that a true
blessing is only bestowed on what is given and accepted, without being
demanded. Long before evening, Lenz was sitting with Pilgrim, and
Annele with her parents. The whole household seemed unhinged. Lenz
never breathed a hint before Pilgrim of what was inwardly consuming
him, and when Annele complained to her parents, they refused to listen
to her, and seemed to have other matters in their head.

Lenz often went to Faller's also, where he was at his ease, even more
than with Pilgrim, for here he was received with joy and respect when
he came. The Lenz of former days was honoured as highly as ever in this
house--at