Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

Lucidor.

“Why did you not put an end to it?”

Julia.

“That  too  must  now  be  explained.  When  your  first  monologue  had  become

known to our father, and he could soon observe that none of his children had any

objection  to  such  an  exchange,  then  he  determined  to  go  over  at  once  to  your

father. The importance of the business gave him some misgivings. Only a father

can feel the respect that is due to a father. “He must be informed about it at the

very  first,”  said  mine,  “if  afterwards,  when  we  are  agreed,  he  is  not  to  give  a

forced,  reluctant  consent.  I  know  him  exactly;  I  know  how  firmly  he  keeps  to

any thought, inclination or plan, and I am anxious enough about it. He has mixed

up  Julia,  his  maps  and  views,  so  closely  in  his  thoughts,  that  he  has  already

formed  the  plan  of  finally  establishing  everything  here,  when  the  day  should

come for the young couple to settle down here, and could not so easily change

position  and  place:  then  he  would  devote  to  us  every  holiday,  and  whatever  of

kindness and goodness he had in mind. He must first know what a trick nature

had  played  upon  us,  for  as  yet  nothing  has  been  declared,  nothing  decided.”

Thereupon  he  took  from  us  all  the  most  solemn  hand-pledge  that  we  would

watch  you  and,  happen  what  might,  would  keep  you  here.  How  his  return  has

been delayed, how it has cost art, labor and perseverance to obtain your father’s

consent, that you may hear from him yourself. Enough, the thing is settled, and

Lucinda is granted to you.”

And  thus  the  two,  quickly  leaving  their  first  seat,  but  stopping  on  the  road,

talking continuously, and slowly walking onwards, had reached an elevation on

the other side of the meadows and another well-constructed highroad.

The  carriage  came  driving  quickly  towards  them;  in  a  moment  she  directed

---

her companion’s attention to a strange spectacle. All the machinery in which her

brother  took  such  pride  was  now  animated  and  in  motion;  the  wheels  were

conveying a number of people up and down, swings were oscillating, poles were

being  climbed,  and  you  might  see  essayed  all  kinds  of  bold  leaps  and  springs

above the heads of a countless multitude.

All this the young squire had put into motion, in order to entertain the guests

merrily after dinner.

“You will still drive through the lower village,” exclaimed Julia; “the people

like me, and they shall see how happy I am.”

The  village  was  deserted;  the  young  men  had  already  hastened,  one  and  all,

towards  the  pleasure-ground;  old  men  and  women,  aroused  by  the  post-horn,

showed themselves at doors and windows; they were all greetings and blessings,

and exclamations: “What a handsome couple!”