and keep the peace. She knew what it was to live
in a house divided against itself, and thought a quiet life cheaply
bought at almost any sacrifice. Melchior was a good fellow, and agreed
to every thing.

Vefela urged Brenner with increasing earnestness to hasten their
marriage. Then he suddenly came out with a new project. He would go to
America. He knew as much of doctoring as the official physician, but
the laws would not allow him to practise here; so he would go to a free
country. Vefela wrung her hands, fell on her knees, and besought him to
give up the plan: they had money enough to live comfortably without
doctoring. But Brenner was not to be moved, and scolded Vefela for a
"stupid peasant-girl that didn't know there were people living 'tother
side the big hill." Poor Vefela gave way at this: she lay with her face
on the ground, and the dreadful thought swept through her mind that she
was despised and would be wretched for life. Brenner must have guessed
at her thoughts: he came, raised her up gently, kissed her, and spoke
so well and so politely that Vefela forgave and forgot every thing and
agreed to go to America with him at once. Where would she not have gone
if he had led the way?

Brenner made all the preparations. Vefela's fortune was turned into
money and exchanged for gold, to be of better use for travelling.
Vefela kept it in the same press with her wardrobe.

The banns were to be spoken at the church; but Brenner's papers never
arrived from Hohenlohe, his birthplace. At last he came one day when
Vefela was busy at the wash-tub, and said, "Vefela, I'll tell you what:
I'll go home and get my papers myself. A friend of mine is waiting at
the door in the carriage; and so I shall have a ride for nothing as far
as Tuebingen. While I'm about it, I'll get our passport countersigned
by the ambassador, and then we can be off in the fall."

"The sooner the better," said Vefela.

"By-the-by," said Brenner, again, "I'm out of change: couldn't you let
me have a little?"

"Here is the key," said Vefela: "help yourself. You know where it
is,--at your left hand as you open the press, by the new linen which is
tied with blue tape."

Brenner went up-stairs and returned after some time. Vefela dried her
hand with her apron and gave it to him: his hand trembled. She wished
to go with him a little way, but he begged her to stay, and ran quickly
down the stairs. Vefela was hurt that he would not let her go with him