t-up grief in one cry of
anguish, clinging to Trude, and weeping bitterly.

"Here I am, my faithful nurse, returned to you more wretched and
miserable than when I left: then, I felt that I could scorn the world,
and now I despise myself. Oh, Trude, they have caused my wretchedness,
they have made me selfish and unkind. I was contented until now, and
rejoiced in my misery, and triumphantly thought of the time when I was
wont to bewail my broken heart and lost soul. Once more with you, and
surrounded with the souvenirs of my girlhood, I feel a horror of myself,
and could sink in shame and contrition. I have become as bad as they
are. Can you forgive the hard-hearted daughter who banished her own
mother from her house? I felt that I could not endure her presence, and
feared that an inveterate rancor and hate would overpower me, and that I
should curse her."

"She deserves it, my poor child," whispered Trude, the tears streaming
down her cheeks. "She has just told you that she never loved you, and in
this painful scene she thought only of bargaining and making money. God
has heard her and forgiven you as I do, and I beg and implore Him to
punish those who have made you so wretched, and that He will have no
mercy upon them, as they have shown none to you. It breaks my heart to
see you so changed, and I can hardly believe this cold, haughty lady is
my Marie. In your tears I recognize you, and I bless God that you can
weep; your grief proves to me that you are yet the child of my heart."

"Oh Trude, you know not how I have longed to see you; it was my only
consolation in these painful years. When I doubted every human being,
then I thought of you, and was comforted and sustained."

"And was there no one else to think of, my child?"

"Yes," she gently murmured, "I thought of him. Tell me all you know
about him, and hide nothing from me in this hour."

"I thought you would ask me, and I went to Director Gedicke yesterday,
to inform myself."

"What did you hear? Tell me the most important. Does he live? Is he
restored to health?"

"He lives, but, for one year, he was so wretched that he could
not teach; now he is better. Herr Gedicke went himself to Spandau,
immediately after the wedding, and brought him back with him, relating
as forbearingly and carefully as possible the circumstances of your
marriage, and of your sacrificing yourself for him alone."

"How did he receive it? What did he say?"

"Nothing. His eyes wer