s request, when
she interrupted him:

"Say no more!"

Anton turned pale, and Thoma blushed; their eyes met, and Thoma's
eyelids dropped. In a moment, however, she looked up frankly, and
continued:

"I have heard all that has been said."

"Bravo! that's splendid!" cried Anton; "pardon me, but I imagine there
are few who would so honestly confess that they had been listening."

"I thank you for your praise, but it is nothing--that is, I mean being
honest deserves no praise."

The farmer shrugged his shoulders, and opened his mouth with delight.
"He's getting it now," thought he, "she pays in good coin."

Turning to her father, Thoma continued:

"Father, did you really mean that I should do as I choose?"

"Certainly! Whatever you say will be right."

"Then I say yes; I accept the honor with thanks."

Fidelis, who was standing at the door, bit his lip to keep from
laughing aloud; and an expression of astonishment spread itself over
the faces of the farmer and the three young men. The mountain-prince
and the other farmer's son thanked Thoma and shook hands with her, but
when Anton offered his hand she turned quickly away, and busied herself
with the plates and glasses.

Meanwhile the farmer's wife had entered, unnoticed, and now, whilst
they were enjoying the refreshment, spoke to them all, for she knew
their mothers. Turning to Anton, she expressed her sympathy at his
mother's death, saying that she was a most excellent woman, and that
her happiness must have been great indeed when her only son returned
from the war, safe and with honor.

After the three young men had gone, the farmer's wife said:

"Anton's a splendid fellow, he pleases me best of them all."

"Do you think so too?" the farmer was about to ask his daughter, but he
refrained, and only answered:

"He has a tongue like a lawyer's; the only real substantial farmer is
Titus's son and heir."

Thoma left the room without a word, and that which Landolin dreaded
came to pass. From this time Thoma and Anton met often, in public and
alone, in the bright day time and the quiet evening. And when at length
Thoma told her father of her love, he calmly endeavored to show her
that this would be an unequal marriage, and that he had always had
confidence that her pride would not allow her to throw herself away;
as, however, he found that Thoma never wavered in her decision, he was
wise enough to give his consent, thereby securing their gratitude
instead