And so would I had a thousand dollars more,
And had my own true love by me."

Thus singing he was about to dance with Annele out of the room, when
her father laid his hand on the young man's shoulder, and in a solemn
voice said, "Stop; one word more."

Lenz stood in as much amazement as if a dagger had been put to his
lips, instead of the expected kiss. "We have pledged our troth. There
is no need of anything further!" cried Annele, remonstratingly.

"We men have still some matters to settle," replied the landlord,
decisively. "Yes, let your father speak," said Lenz.

Mine host took off his velvet cap, looked into it, put it on his head
again, and began: "Your intentions have been true and honest. If you
are laughed at behind your back, you need not mind; and if you are
ruined, you are responsible to none but yourself." Here he made a long
pause. Lenz looked at him like a man in a dream, and finally asked what
he had done, or what he meant to do, that was so dreadful.

"As I say, your intentions are honest and good; that I have always
maintained," returned the oracle. "You and Proebler have made a standard
regulator together,--is that what you call it? I don't pay much
attention to such things; some work for the common good. You
understand, of course, that you can have no further partnership with
Proebler. The name of my son-in-law and that of Proebler must not be
coupled together; so that is settled and done with. Now we come to the
main point. You are thinking about establishing an association,--is
that what you call it? Whatever you call it, that too must be settled
and done with." Here the landlady wanted to interpose, but her husband
stamped his foot angrily, and went on: "Let me finish, wife! Lenz, I
tell you, this thing must never enter your mind again. You will not
think I speak thus from regard to my own interest. I fear no union or
association whatever. Even if I did, my interest is now yours. But you
will get neither praise nor thanks for it. I know mankind better than
you do. If this plan were ever put into execution, your whole property
would be sacrificed, and you reduced to beggary. Give me your hand upon
it, that from this hour you lay aside all thoughts of this
association."

Lenz stood hesitating, his eyes fixed on the ground. "Yes," cried the
landlady, "give him your hand. He means well, he means right, by you;
his intentions are those of a father towards you; he is your father