master, and began to cry so violently that she could not utter a
word. Her husband strove manfully to repress his emotion; and, after an
effort or two, addressed Monsieur De Vlierbeck in a manly way:--

"May I ask the favor of you, sir, to let me say a word or two to you in
private?"

De Vlierbeck entered the adjoining room, where he was followed by the
farmer, who shut the door carefully.

"I hardly dare, sir," said he, "to mention my request; but will you
pardon me if it displeases you?"

"Speak out frankly, my friend," returned De Vlierbeck, with a smile.

"Look you, sir," stammered the tender-hearted laborer. "Every thing that
I have earned I owe to you. I had nothing when I married Bess; and yet,
with your kindness, we have managed to succeed. God's mercy and your
favor have made us prosperous; while you, our benefactors, have become
unfortunate and are forced to wander away from their home,--God knows
where! You may be forced to suffer privations and want; but that must
not be: I would reproach myself as long as I live. Oh, sir!" continued
he, as his voice faltered and his eyes filled with tears, "all that I
have on earth is at your service!"

De Vlierbeck pressed the hard hand of the rustic with a trembling grasp,
as he replied,--

"You are a worthy man indeed, and I am, happy that it was once in my
power to protect and serve you; but I cannot accept your offer, my
friend: keep what you have earned by the sweat of your brow, and do not
concern yourself for our future fate, for, with God's help, we shall
find means to live."

"Oh, sir," said the farmer, beseechingly, and clasping his hands in an
attitude of entreaty, "do not reject the trifle I offer you;"--he opened
a drawer and pointed to a small heap of silver.--"See!" said he; "that
is not the hundredth part of the good you have done us. Grant me this
favor, I beseech you: take this money, sir; and if it spare you a single
suffering or trial I shall thank God for it on my knees!"

Tears streamed down the wan and wrinkled cheeks of the poor gentleman as
he replied,--

"Thanks! thanks! my friend; but I must refuse it. All persuasion is
useless. Let us leave this room!"

"But, sir," cried the farmer, in astonishment, "where do you intend to
go? Tell me, for God's sake!"

"I cannot," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck, "for I don't know myself;
and, even if I did, prudence would make me silent."

Uttering these words, he returned to the other room, whe