ot only night and morning, but
several times during the day; before Karl set off on his expedition into
the forest to cut wood, and when he returned, or when he went into the
town to sell his fagots. "When grandfather told me to run away, he
intended that I should work hard to support you, Meta, and so I will."

Meta was accustomed to be alone. She was a happy-hearted girl, and used
to sing and amuse herself very well, when she knew that her grandfather
and brother would soon return to her. The case was very different now.
Her great comfort was reading the Bible. She had more time to do that
than formerly. Without it she felt sure she would have broken down
altogether. Still, occasionally, she felt her spirits sink so low that
she could not help wishing to accompany Karl into the forest. "I can
take the book and read to him when he stops to rest or to eat his
dinner; and I can talk to him and cheer him up, for he must feel quite
as sad as I do, I know."

Karl gladly agreed to her proposal, so the next day, shutting up the
cottage, they set out together. The way was rough, but Meta was well
accustomed to tread it, and without encountering any danger they reached
the part of the forest in which Karl usually laboured. Meta carried out
her plan just as she had proposed, and Karl, though he rested longer
than had been his wont, got through more work than usual. For several
days she did the same, very much to her own and Karl's satisfaction. On
one occasion she was seated on a piece of timber, with her book on her
knees, reading, while Karl sat on the ground at her feet, eating his
frugal meal, but slowly though, for every now and then he looked up to
ask her the meaning of certain passages, or to make some remark.

They were thus employed, entirely absorbed in the subject. Some slight
noises reached their ears, but if their attention was drawn to them they
thought they were caused by the asses which were browsing near brushing
among the bushes. Meta read on. At length she stopped, when, looking
up, she saw standing near her, and gazing with a look of astonishment, a
gentleman in a rich hunting suit, a short sword by his side, a horn hung
round his neck, and a jewelled dagger in his belt. His white beard and
moustache, and his furrowed cheeks, showed that he was already advanced
in life, though he looked active and strong. A pleasant smile passed
over his countenance, as Meta, littering an exclamation of asto