od, be kind. I beg the wicked Thoma to
trouble my good Thoma no longer. You exaggerate----.

"Perhaps so. There--you may take my hand for the last time."

"I will not take it for the last time."

"Then I say good night; thank you a thousand times!"

Anton tried to throw his arm around her, but she tore herself away, and
hastened into the house.

He waited awhile to see if she would not relent; but as all continued
silent, a spirit of defiance awoke within him, and he went away without
turning around, though he sometimes paused and listened to hear if any
one were following or calling him. At length he disappeared in the
forest.

CHAPTER XLVI.

There is still merriment in the world; song, music, and laughter.
Joyous, singing, laughing people drive along the plateau in wagons
decorated with flowers and green boughs. They are seen and heard from
Landolin's house; he nods to them from the open window; he is in
holiday attire and has decided to go to the celebration, and take part
again in the world's gayety. Turning, he said to his wife, who sat in
the room:

"Hanne, Thoma won't go; can't you go with me?"

"I would rather you'd let me stay at home."

Landolin would have liked to say, "If you are with me they will pay me
more respect;" but he could not bring himself to say it. He had humbled
himself before the humblest; but before his wife he could not--she had
always been so submissive to him. He often looked toward Thoma and
wondered if she would not tell him what had passed between her and
Anton the day before; and if she would not go with him to the
celebration; but she remained motionless and silent. He ordered the
wagon to be hitched up immediately; but Peter said that the horses had
worked so much in the harvest-field during the week that they would
have to rest to-day: at most the bay mare might be saddled, but that
wouldn't be wise. Landolin looked at Peter furiously, but he did not
want to quarrel with him; for, as long as they did not disagree openly,
it was not noticeable that the authority was no longer his. So he
consented to ride, but soon changed his mind and said he would go on
foot.

As the church bells began to ring, he started for the city. "Won't you
go to church, too?" asked his wife timidly. He answered angrily:

"No! They have sung and prayed thus far without me. I guess they can
keep it up awhile longer."

This he said; but he thought besides: "Th