ild or not. She's as like you as one
rain-drop's like the other. Yes or no? You are the father of my
Crescence. I dare not hurt you, and I will not hurt you; but--Lord
God!--I don't know what I am doing!" He seized the handle of the knife
in his pocket, snapped the lock of the door with his other hand, and
went on:--"I never slaughtered the wrong sort of cattle yet; but----"
He foamed and trembled with fury.

"You villain!" cried the parson, making for the window and opening it.

Suddenly the wall opened, and the housekeeper entered by a masked door,
saying, "The councilmen and the squire are over there, your reverence,
and want you to come over directly."

The knife almost fell from Florian's hand. The parson stood in the open
door in safety.

"What is your last word?" demanded Florian, once more.

"Clear out of my house this instant, or I'll have you arrested."

Florian departed with faltering steps: the last bough of the tree of
his hopes was broken. He wandered home in the darkness, accompanied by
dreadful thoughts. Once, looking up to the stars, he broke out into,
"Good God in heaven, can it be thy will that there should be men on
earth who must deny their children and cast them into misery? But it's
all my own fault. Why didn't I stick to my principle and have nothing
to do with him?"

It was three days before he set foot in the village again. He felt as
if a heavy chastisement were awaiting him,--as if he would be made to
do penance there; and yet he knew of no crime he had committed.

But, when some tale-bearers informed him that during his absence people
had said he had run away, his blood boiled within him. He had
sacrificed every thing to his reputation among the villagers; and now
he found the dearly-bought prize so fragile of texture that it could
not live three days without his nursing. A bitter contempt of humanity
began to take root in his soul.

On Sunday, as Florian was standing among the usual group of idlers in
front of the Eagle, Buchmaier stopped before him and said, "Florian,
let's have a word with you: I want to ask your advice about something."

"Certainly," said Florian, going off with him: "what is it?"

"I only said that because the others were listening. I want to talk
with you, but frankly. Where were you last week?"

"I can't tell you."

"Well, as you please. But look here, Florian: you are a smart fellow, a
quick and ready fellow: you understand your business through and
t