admirable art-caster, and would
tread in Peter Fischer's footsteps. And now Herr Paumgartner began to
reproach Master Martin in no gentle terms for his unkind treatment of
his poor journeyman Frederick, and they both urged him to give Rose
to the young fellow to wife when he was become a skilful goldsmith
and caster,--that is, of course, in case she looked with favour upon
him,--for his affection for her tingled in every vein he had. Master
Martin let them have their say out, then he doffed his cap and said,
smiling, "That's right, my good sirs, I'm glad you stand up so bravely
for the journeyman who so shamefully deceived me. That, however, I will
forgive him; but don't ask that I should alter my fixed resolve for his
sake; Rose can never be anything to him." At this moment Rose entered the
room, pale and with eyes red with weeping, and she silently placed wine
and glasses on the table. "Well then," began Herr Holzschuer, "I must
let poor Frederick have his own way; he wants to leave home for ever.
He has done a beautiful piece of work at my shop, which, if you, my
good master, will allow, he will present to Rose as a keepsake; look at
it." Whereupon Master Holzschuer produced a small artistically-chased
silver cup, and handed it to Master Martin, who, a great lover of
costly vessels and such like, took it and examined it on all sides with
much satisfaction. And indeed a more splendid piece of silver work than
this little cup could hardly be seen. Delicate chains of vine-leaves
and roses were intertwined round about it, and pretty angels peeped up
out of the roses and the bursting buds, whilst within, on the gilded
bottom of the cup, were engraved angels lovingly caressing each other.
And when the clear bright wine was poured into the cup, the little
angels seemed to dance up and down as if playing prettily together. "It
is indeed an elegant piece of work," said Master Martin, "and I will
keep it if Frederick will take the double of what it is worth in good
gold pieces." Thus speaking, he filled the cup and raised it to his
lips. At this moment the door was softly opened, and Frederick stepped
in, his countenance pale and stamped with the bitter, bitter pain of
separating for ever from her he held dearest on earth. As soon as Rose
saw him she uttered a loud piercing cry, "O my dearest Frederick!" and
fell almost fainting on his breast. Master Martin set down the cup, and
on seeing Rose in Frederick's arms opened his eyes