en he attempted to approach his proper object, a
certain inward shyness always held him back.

Once, however, Charlotte gave him an opportunity for saying something.
In Ottilie's presence she said to him, "Well now, you have looked
closely enough into everything which is going forward in my circle. How
do you find Ottilie? You had better say while she is here."

Hereupon the Assistant signified, with a clear perception and composed
expression, how that, in respect of a freer carriage, of an easier
manner in speaking, of a higher insight into the things of the world,
which showed itself more in actions than in words, he found Ottilie
altered much for the better; but that he still believed it might be of
serious advantage to her if she would go back for some little time to
the school, in order methodically and thoroughly to make her own forever
what the world was only imparting to her in fragments and pieces, rather
perplexing her than satisfying her, and often too late to be of service.
He did not wish to be prolix about it. Ottilie herself knew best how
much method and connection there was in the style of instruction out of
which, in that case, she would be taken.

Ottilie had nothing to say against this; she could not acknowledge what
it was which these words made her feel, because she was hardly able to
explain it to herself. It seemed to her as if nothing in the world was
disconnected so long as she thought of the one person whom she loved;
and she could not conceive how, without him, anything could be connected
at all.

Charlotte replied to the proposal with a wise kindness. She said that
she herself, as well as Ottilie, had long desired her return to the
school. At that time, however, the presence of so dear a companion and
helper had become indispensable to herself; still she would offer no
obstacle at some future period, if Ottilie continued to wish it, to her
going back there for such a time as would enable her to complete what
she had begun, and to make entirely her own what had been interrupted.

The Assistant listened with delight to this qualified assent. Ottilie
did not venture to say anything against it, although the very thought
made her shudder. Charlotte, on her side, thought only how to gain time.
She hoped that Edward would soon come back and find himself a happy
father; then she was convinced all would go right; and one way or
another they would be able to settle something for Ottilie.

After a