t, if Friedrich
should turn out a goldsmith and modeller, he should give him Rosa to
wife, provided she should be really fond of him. Master Martin allowed
them both to finish what they had to say; then he took off his cap and
answered with a smile, "Worthy sirs, you speak strongly in favour of
the lad, who has--all the same--deceived me in a shameful manner. I
forgive him that, however, but you must not expect me to alter my firm
decision, on his account. It is not the slightest use asking me to give
him my Rosa--completely out of the question."

Just then, Rosa came in, pale as death, with eyes red from crying, and,
in silence, placed glasses and wine on the table.

"Very well!" said Holzschuer; "then I suppose I shall be obliged to let
Friedrich have his way, and leave this place altogether. He has just
finished a beautiful piece of workmanship at my atelier, which--if you
will allow him, Master Martin--he wishes to offer to Rosa as a I; Bake.
I have got it with me; look at it."

He produced a small silver goblet, beautifully and artistically
ornamented all over, and handed it to Master Martin, who was a great
admirer and "amateur" of such things. He took it, and looked at it on
all sides with great admiration; in fact it would have been difficult
to meet with a more beautiful piece of silver-work than this little
vessel, where lovely vine-branches, with tendrils, interwoven with
roses, were twining in all directions, whilst from among the grapes and
the roses, beautiful angels were peeping, and others, embracing, graven
inside it, on its gilt sides and bottom; so that when wine was poured
into it, those angels seemed to hover up and down, in charming play.

"A very pretty thing indeed!" Master Martin said. "Beautiful work about
it! I shall be glad to take it, if Friedrich will allow me to give him
twice its worth in good gold pieces."

So saying, Master Martin filled the cup with wine, and set it to his
lips.

Here the door opened gently, and Friedrich, with the deadly pain of
parting for ever from her he loved best on earth in his white face,
came in at it. As soon as Rosa saw him, she gave a bitter cry of "Oh,
my own dearest Friedrich!" and threw herself half-fainting on his
breast.

Master Martin set the cup down, and when he saw Rosa in Friedrich's
arms, he opened wide eyes, as if he were seeing ghosts. Then he took up
the cup again without a word, and looked down into it. "Rosa," he cried
in a loud voi