When the waltz commenced ， and the dancers whirled around each
other in the giddy maze ， there was some confusion ， owing to the incapacity
of some of the dancers. We judiciously remained still ， allowing the
others to weary themselves； and， when the awkward dancers had withdrawn，
we joined in， and kept it up famously together with one other couple ，
—— Andran and his partner. Never did I dance more lightly. I felt myself
more than mortal， holding this loveliest of creatures in my arms ， flying，
with her as rapidly as the wind ， till I lost sight of every other object
； and O Wilhelm， I vowed at that moment ， that a maiden whom I loved，
or for whom I felt the slightest attachment ， never， never should waltz
with any one else but with me ， if I went to perdition for it！—— you
will understand this.
We took a few turns in the room to recover our breath. Charlotte sat
down， and felt refreshed by partaking of some oranges which I had had
secured ，—— the only ones that had been left ； but at every slice
which ， from politeness， she offered to her neighbours， I felt as though
a dagger went through my heart.
We were the second couple in the third country dance. As we were going
down（and Heaven knows with what ecstasy I gazed at her arms and eyes ，
beaming with the sweetest feeling of pure and genuine enjoyment ）， we
passed a lady whom I had noticed for her charming expression of countenance
； although she was no longer young. She looked at Charlotte with a smile，
then， holding up her finger in a threatening attitude， repeated twice
in a very significant tone of voice the name of "Albert."
"Who is Albert，" said I to Charlotte ， "if it is not impertinent
to ask？" She was about to answer ， when we were obliged to separate ，
in order to execute a figure in the dance ； and， as we crossed over
again in front of each other， I perceived she looked somewhat pensive.
"Why need I conceal it from you ？" she said， as she gave me her hand
for the promenade. "Albert is a worthy man， to whom I am engaged." Now，
there was nothing new to me in this （for the girls had told me of it
on the way）； but it was so far new that I had not thought of it in connection
with her whom ， in so short a time ， I had learned to prize so highly.
Enough， I became confused， got out in the figure， and occasioned general
confusion ； so that it required all Charlotte's presence of mind to set
me right by pulling and pushing me into my proper place.
The dance was not yet finished when the lightning which had for some
time been seen in the horizon ， and which I had asserted to proceed entirely
from heat ， grew more violent； and the thunder was heard above the music.
When any distress or terror surprises us in the midst of our amusements，
it naturally makes a deeper impression than at other times， either because
the contrast makes us more keenly susceptible ， or rather perhaps because
our senses are then more open to impressions， and the shock is consequently
stronger. To this cause I must ascribe the fright and shrieks of the ladies.
One sagaciously sat down in a corner with her back to the window， and
held her fingers to her ears； a second knelt down before her ， and hid
her face in her lap ； a third threw herself between them ， and embraced
her sister with a thousand tears； some insisted on going home； others，
unconscious of their actions， wanted sufficient presence of mind to repress
the impertinence of their young partners， who sought to direct to themselves
those sighs which the lips of our agitated beauties intended for heaven.
Some of the gentlemen had gone down-stairs to smoke a quiet cigar ， and
the rest of the company gladly embraced a happy suggestion of the hostess
to retire into another room which was provided with shutters and curtains.
We had hardly got there ， when Charlotte placed the chairs in a circle
； and， when the company had sat down in compliance with her request ，
she forthwith proposed a round game.
I noticed some of the company prepare their mouths and draw themselves
up at the prospect of some agreeable forfeit. "Let us play at counting，
" said Charlotte. "Now， pay attention： I shall go round the circle from
right to left ； and each person is to count， one after the other， the
number that comes to him， and must count fast； whoever stops or mistakes
is to have a box on the ear ， and so on， till we have counted a thousand."
It was delightful to see the fun. She went round the circle with upraised
arm. "One ，" said the first； "two ，" the second； "three ，" the third
； and so on， till Charlotte went faster and faster. One made a mistake，
instantly a box on the ear； and， amid the laughter that ensued， came
another box ； and so on， faster and faster. I myself came in for two.
I fancied they were harder than the rest， and felt quite delighted. A
general laughter and confusion put an end to the game long before we had
counted as far as a thousand. The party broke up into little separate
knots ： the storm had ceased ， and I followed Charlotte into the ballroom.
On the way she said ， "The game banished their fears of the storm." I
as any of them； but by affecting courage ， to keep up the spirits of
the others， I forgot my apprehensions." We went to the window. It was
still thundering at a distance： a soft rain was pouring down over the
country ， and filled the air around us with delicious odours. Charlotte
leaned forward on her arm ； her eyes wandered over the scene ； she raised
them to the sky ， and then turned them upon me ； they were moistened
with tears； she placed her hand on mine and said ， "Klopstock ！"