e, and it was in truth
laughable to see how he forgot his dignity, and leaped first on one foot
and then the other, crying: "No, no! It cannot be true! Then poor Irus is
become rich Croesus!"

And thus he went on till he left us with Master Perkheimer. Then I
laughed with my cousin; and when I was once more alone I marvelled at the
mercy of a benevolent Providence, by whose ruling a small joy makes us to
forget our heavy griefs, though it were but for a moment.

At night, to be sure, I could not help thinking with fresh sorrow of that
which had come upon us; but then, on the morrow, I saw the Magister
again, and would fain have rejoiced in his gladness; but lo, he was now
silent and dull, and at the first opening he led ne aside and said, right
humbly and with downcast eyes: "Think no evil of me, Mistress Margery, in
that yestereve my joy in earthly possessions was over much for my wits;
believe me, it was not the glitter of mammon, but far other matters that
turned my brain." And he confessed to me that he had ever borne Ann in
his heart, even when she was but a young maid at school, and had made the
winning of her the goal of his life. To this end, and whereas without
some means of living he could not hope, he had laid by every penny he had
earned by teaching at our house and in the Latin classes, and had
foregone the buying of many a fine and learned book, or even of a jar of
wine to drink in the company of his fellows. Thus had he saved a goodly
sum of money; nay, he had thought himself within reach of his high aim
when he had discovered, that Christmas eve before Herdegen's departing,
that the Junker had robbed him of his one ewe lamb. There was nought left
for him to do but to hold his peace, albeit in bitter sorrow, till within
the last few days Heaven had showered its mercies on him. The powerful
Junker--for so it was that he ever spoke and thought of my elder
brother--had it seemed, released the lamb, and he himself was now in a
state of life in which he might right well set up housekeeping. Then he
went on to beseech me with all humbleness to speak a word for him to the
lady of his choice, and I found it not in my heart to give the death-blow
forthwith to his fond and faithful hopes, albeit I wist full surely that
they were all in vain. Thus I bid him to have patience at least till
Christmas, inasmuch as he should give Ann time to put away the memory of
Herdegen; and he consented with simple kindness, although