to the door, supposing that he was ashamed of having his friend see
her. What was all this to end in? Bitter tears fell into the wash-tub
at the thought of it. Still, she went up into her attic and looked out
of the window to follow the carriage with her eyes. What was her
astonishment when she saw that the carriage, instead of taking the road
to Tuebingen, started toward Herrenberg! It was on her lips to call to
the travellers that they were on the wrong road; but she bethought
herself that she must have misunderstood Brenner, or that he might have
made a slip of the tongue.

A week, a fortnight, passed by, and nothing was seen or heard of
Brenner. Vefela was often sad to think that her whole life was to be
given to a man who did not esteem her: she was not proud, yet she could
not help thinking how much every one in the village, even the squire
himself, would have felt honored by her hand. But again the mere
recollection of Brenner would make her happy as a queen, and she would
beg his forgiveness in thought for all the unkind ideas she had had of
him. She saw no fault in him now: when those we love are away we never
see their faults, but only their virtues. Had Brenner but had a single
virtue!

When Melchior wondered why Brenner remained so long away, she would
answer in such a manner as to make him suppose she knew the reason and
was not disturbed about it.

One day, when in low spirits, Vefela went into her room. For a long
time she looked out of the window in the direction from which Brenner
was to come. To dispel her sadness by a look at her wedding-dress, she
opened the press. Oh pity! what did she behold! Every thing rifled and
strewed about as if the Pandours had been there. Involuntarily her hand
sought the money: it was gone! She shrieked aloud, and the whole truth
flashed upon her. The wrong road--the trembling hand--the fear of her
going with him--the long absence! She flew to the window to fling
herself out. A hand seized her and held her back. Melchior had heard
her cry and hastened to her. Vefela fell upon her knees, wrung her
hands, and told him the dreadful truth. Melchior raved and swore. He
would find him out. He would bring him before every court in the
empire. Then Vefela sank upon her face and told him her shame: her
brother sank down by her side and wept with her. Long they remained
closely pressed against each other, sobbing aloud, without speaking a
word, and almost afraid to look each ot