Bruges
This Afternoon I went in the Garden with one of ma Mère’s books to enjoy myself a little in quietude & while there Mr S[1] made his appearance & stayed a short time with me – Our conversation was restrained, on my part cold and dry - I said the weather was cooler & fresher than it was some days since & after sundry pauses & sundry similar observations the interviewp2closed without my soliciting a repetion of his visit - or expressing any pleasure in the one with which he had favored me - When I reentered my sitting room I found your note but by whose hands it was placed on my Table I knew not - Of course I could not scold him according to your instructions for I did not receive your letter until after he had left and if I had read it I do not think I should have benefited him by saying anything to him I knew he did go boating - but I cannot tell how much or how little Samuel may have pressedp3him - I felt that it was not a good example to place before the eyes of Richard Edward & Alfred I dislike secrecy & mystery so very much, but I knew so little of students generally & their little naughty ways, that I could not undertake to turn Mentor The worst part of the business seems to be the denial of it - Strange to say he never alluded in the most distant manner either to that or his last letter to me - however I trust as he has acted insincerely towards the rector he will think better of it - I think you can be severe by an observation you madep4to me - & perhaps he dreaded the severity of the rector if he admitted the fact of the Boating - I must not say anything - but that I should be sorry if he were to come to trouble through me or my family - They say Men have a cell more in their brains than Women but that we possess an additional fibre in our hearts - I should be greatly obliged to Mr Saffenreuter if he would direct a few letters[2] for me tomorrow - as I prefer not asking Mr Schmitz - I wish him every good thing I can - but my feeling is against a repetition of our former intimacy