ht than that of its marketable value.

And as often as Martina thought of the bright sunshine she had seen
through the foliage of the beech, she felt as if these sunny rays were
still shining on her, and were never to cease shining.

Adam, seizing Martina's hand, said, as if he intended a solemn
asseveration:--

"This tree shall never be cut down; it shall never be felled by me till
our wedding; or rather, it shall always remain where it is, and listen
to the merry music of our bridal procession as it passes along.
Martina, give me something; have you nothing you could give me?"

"I am poor and have nothing to give away."

"I see something I should like to have--will you give it to me?"

"Yes! what is it? whatever you like."

"I see your name embroidered on your neckerchief; tear out the piece
and give it to me."

"Gladly!" she turned away, and tore out the piece of muslin where her
name was marked, and gave it to him.

"I give you nothing," said he, "but look round, so far as you can see,
all, all, is yours."

At this speech, proving how rich Adam was, and how poor Martina, she
felt very sorrowful, but Adam still grasped her hand, so every other
feeling was absorbed in love for him.

The love which had taken possession of both, was an overpowering,
headlong, wild passion and quickly succeeded by grief and misery.

For the first time in his life, Adam was sent with a raft, down the
Rhine, to Holland, and during his absence Martina was driven out of the
house in shame and disgrace....

These were the joyous and sorrowful events of the past, that once more
floated before the eyes of Martina in her garret.

She hid her face in the pillow--the cocks in the village began to crow,
as it was now past midnight.

"That is the new-fashioned bird crowing, that Haespele lately bought.
How hoarse and loud the long-legged creature crows! Our own home birds
have a much more cheerful cry: but Haespele is an excellent man, and so
kind and good to my boy;--he meant to do me a kindness when he once
said to me, 'Martina, in my eyes you are a widow, and a worthy
woman'--Yes, said I, but my husband is not dead; I grieve that you like
me, as I cannot marry you--no! such a thought is far from my heart."

Martina could not close her eyes, but lay anxiously awaiting the dawn
of day--sometimes sleep seemed about to take compassion on her, but
scarcely had she closed her eyes, than she started up again--she
thought she heard th