ise?" Friedrich cried. "Yes, yes; she will be
yours. How could I, most wretched of creatures, ever hope for such
bliss!"

"My brother!" said Reinhold, "you forget that Rosa has by no means yet
confirmed what wily Master Martin fancies he has seen. It is true she
has always been very charming and kindly with me; but that is not
exactly how a loving heart displays itself. Promise me, my brother, to
keep yourself quiet for three days more, and work in the shop as usual.
I might go back again there now, too; but since I have been busy at
this picture, that miserable handicraft sickens me inexpressibly. I
_cannot_ take a hammer in my hand again, come what will! On the third
day I will tell you distinctly how matters stand between me and Rosa.
If I should really be the fortunate man to whom she has given her
heart, you may depart; and you will learn that time heals the very
deepest wounds."

Friedrich promised to abide his destiny.

On the third day (Friedrich had carefully shunned the sight of Rosa)
his heart trembled with fear and anxious expectation. He crept about
the workshop like one in a dream, and his awkwardness was such as to
give Master Martin occasion to scold angrily, in a way unusual with
him. Taking things all round, something seemed to have come to the
master which had taken away all satisfaction from him. He talked much
of wicked artfulness and ingratitude, without further explaining what
he was driving at. When evening came at length, and Friedrich was going
back to town, near the city-gate he saw a man on horseback meeting him,
whom he at once knew to be Reinhold. As soon as this latter caught
sight of him he cried out: "Ha, ha! here you are!--just as I wished!"
He got off his horse, threw the reins on his arm, and took his friend
by the hand: "Let us stroll along together for a while," he said; "I
can tell you now how my love-affair has turned out."

Friedrich noticed that Reinhold was dressed as he had been when they
first met, and that the horse had a valise on him. Reinhold was looking
rather pale and troubled. "Good-luck to you, brother-heart!" he cried,
somewhat wildly. "You can go on hammering lustily away at your casks,
for I am clearing out of your way. I have just said good-bye to the
lovely Rosa, and worthy old Martin."

"What!" cried Friedrich, who felt a kind of electric shock go through
him. "You are going away! when Master Martin wants you for a
son-in-law, and when Rosa loves you?"