orning walking
in the forest. It's all quite true what happened last night. It
wasn't a dream. We are engaged. I've hardly seen the others. They
congratulated us quite politely. Kloster was very kind, but anxious
lest I should let love, as he says, spoil art. We laughed at that.
Bernd, who would have been a musician but for his family and his
obligations, is going to be it vicariously through me. I shall work
all the harder with him to help me. How right you were about a lover
being the best of all things in the world! I don't know how anybody
gets on without one. I can't think how I did. It amazes me to
remember that I used to think I was happy. Bless me, little
mother--bless us. Send a telegram. I can't wait.

Your Chris.

_Koseritz, Thursday, July 23_.

My own mother,

Thank you so much for your telegram of blessing, darling one, which I
have just had. It seems to set the seal of happiness on me. I know
you will love Bernd, and understand directly you see him why I do. We
are so placid here these beautiful summer days. Everybody accepts us
now resignedly as a _fait accompli_, and though they remain
unenthusiastic they are polite and tolerant. And whenever I play to
them they all grow kind. It's rather like being Orpheus with his lute,
and they the mountain tops that freeze. I've discovered I can melt
them by just making music. Helena really does love music. It was
quite true what her mother said. Since I played that first wonderful
night of my engagement she has been quite different to me. She still
is silent, because that's her nature, and she still stares; but now she
stares in a sort of surprise, with a question in her eyes. And
wherever she may be in the house or garden, if she hears me beginning
to play she creeps near on tiptoe and listens.

Kloster has gone. He and his wife were both very kind to us, but
Kloster is worried because I've fallen in love. I'm not to go back to
Berlin till Monday, as Bernd can stay on here till then, and there's no
point in spending a Sunday in Berlin unless one has to. Kloster is
going to give me three lessons a week instead of two, and I shall work
now with such renewed delight! He says I won't, but I know better.
Everything I do seems to be touched now with delight. How funny that
room at Frau Berg's will look and feel after being here. But I don't
mind going back to it one little half a scrap. Bernd will be in
Berlin; he'll be wr