l things
and according to our wishes. My fortune procures for me a dispensation
from public authorities to be married here in the house of our dear
parents. The law demands four witnesses, who will be represented by your
parents, my servant Philip, and the sacristan whom the clergyman will
bring."

"And they will hear me abjure you."

"It is very possible, dearest, but the witnesses will not listen to
you. Money makes the deaf to hear, and the hearing ones deaf. Old parson
Dietrich knows the story of your love, and believes, with us, that it is
a malady that you must be cured of. Therefore, in pity to you, he will
not listen, and the others are paid to keep silent."

"Is there no hope, O Heaven?" cried Marie, imploringly. "O God, Thou
hast permitted it--hast Thou no pity in my need, and sendest me no aid?"
Rushing to her father, and kneeling at his feet, she continued: "Have
mercy upon your poor child! You are an old man, and may live but a few
years; do not burden your conscience with the fearful reproaches of your
only child, whom you will condemn to an inconsolably long and unhappy
life."

"Have you no pity yourself? Do you not know that I, your father, am so
poor, that I have not even the necessary care? You wish your parents to
sacrifice themselves for you, and suffer want! No, the daughter should
sacrifice herself for her parents."

"A beautiful sacrifice, a fine sorrow!" sneered her mother. "She will
be a rich woman, and have the most splendid house and furniture and most
costly equipage in Berlin!"

"And a husband who adores her," cried Ebenstreit, "and who will feel it
his duty to make her and her parents happy. Resolve bravely to bury the
past, and look the immutable future joyfully in the face. Eleven will be
the happy hour; fear not that the altar will not be worthy the charming
bride of such a rich family. Money will procure every thing, and I will
send a florist who will change this room into a blooming temple, fit to
receive the goddess of love. In your room you will find the gift of my
affection, a simple wedding-dress, which I trust you will approve of.
Oh, do not shake your head, do not say that you will never wear it; you
must believe that all resistance is in vain. You will become my wife, I
and my money will it."

"And I," cried Marie, standing before him pale and defiant, regarding
him with unspeakable contempt, "I and my love will it not. May God judge
between us! May He forgive those who