will accept my poor,
insignificant name, and be contented by my side to lead a quiet, modest
existence. I can only earn sufficient to assure us a peaceful life. I
have no splendor, no treasures to offer you, but only my love, my heart,
my life, my whole thought and being. Will you accept it, Marie?"

"I do accept it, Moritz, as the greatest happiness of my life. I desire
only your love, and I can return only my love to you! Here is my hand,
Philip, it belongs to you alone! Let us kneel in humility before my
parents, and implore their blessing.--Oh, my father and mother, have
pity upon us! See this dear man, to whom my whole heart belongs.
I desire only to live and toil with him. There are no riches, no
treasures, to compare with his love!"

"General and Frau von Werrig, grant me the wife of my heart!" cried
Philip Moritz, deeply moved. "It is true, I am not worthy of her, I have
no name, no position, to offer her, but I swear to strive to gain it for
her. I will win by my talents and knowledge a distinguished name, and
perhaps one day you will concede to my fame that I am a noble man,
though not a nobleman. Will you separate two hearts which belong to
each other? Take me for your son-in-law, and I swear to be devoted and
faithful, to love and honor you for your daughter's sake. I can say
no more--words cannot express all that I feel. Love causes me to kneel
before you, love makes me humble as a child. I implore you to give me
your daughter in marriage."

"I also implore you," cried Marie, sinking down beside Moritz, "give to
me this man, whom I love and honor, for my husband."

It was a beautiful and impressive scene--these two young beings pleading
for happiness; their eyes flashing with the inspiration of feeling,
conscious that they were one in affection, and ready to combat the whole
world for each other. But Frau von Werrig was immovable, and the general
was too much occupied with his gouty, throbbing leg even to cast a look
upon the beautiful group of youth, love, manly determination, and tender
resignation.

Outside the door, Trude knelt imploringly, with folded hands, while the
tears ran down her old cheeks in big drops. "O God, I well know that
they have no pity; have mercy Thou, and cause my dear Marie to be happy!
Suffer not that that hard-hearted woman should sell her, and marry
her to that bad man my Marie despises. I well know that I am a poor
creature, and not worthy that Thou shouldst listen to me,