ng was not numerous, and without guests or music, for Faller
declared:--"When the time comes that I have anything to spare, I will
then invite my friends, and the music I can make myself."

Lenz was obliged to hear himself much praised at the wedding for all he
had done, and the old mother said:--"If you, God willing, soon marry,
then I will wear your mother's Sunday clothes in church. I am not
ashamed of wearing her things; on the contrary, everyone says that I
ought to feel it a great honour."

"And what a capital bed I have now!" said Faller, and his strong, loud
voice sounded almost musical, as it trembled with emotion:--"Oh, Lenz!
I pray to God now oftener for you, than for myself. May God preserve
you from all harm! but I can't help wishing that if ever you were to be
in difficulty or danger, I might be the means of rescuing you. I should
like to turn to the people in church and call out:--'It is through the
goodness of God that I stand here, but He assisted me through my
friend, and I hope the good Lord will bless him for it, and his parents
in heaven.' Lenz, you cannot fail to be happy, for you have made a
whole family happy."

Honest, rough Faller could not say another word, but twirled his
soldierly moustaches.

Lenz was an object of more respect and attention at the wedding, than
even the young couple, and he was glad when it was time to go to
church.

The Choral Society sang beautifully in church, but the two principal
voices were wanting--that of Lenz and also of Faller.

Nearly the whole village, above all, the women and girls, were present
at the wedding; those that were married were glad to hear again the
exhortation to the newly wedded pair, and the unmarried wished to take
a lesson how to behave when it came to their turn, which they fervently
hoped might be soon. The women cried, and the girls glanced curiously
round the church, and if Lenz had looked up, he would have met many
eyes fixed on him.

After the ceremony was over Lenz left them, and went alone towards his
home. At the hedge of the churchyard he was greeted by Kathrine,
standing with a handsome young man, who, from his costume, seemed to be
the son of a farmer in the neighbouring valley. She coloured as Lenz
looked earnestly at her, and passed on. He next took off his hat in
courteous greeting. The Doctor's two eldest daughters were walking on
the road, and they wore neat laced boots, which their short dresses in
the wet weather fu