"If he had boasted of some noble deed, we should indeed have been less ready to give him credence." "We are suffering heavy punishment," sighed Dorothea, "and my heart is bleeding.

Why did you not come to us, Hermas, if you wanted wine?
How much suffering would have been spared if you had!" The lad looked down, and was silent; but soon he recollected himself, and said eagerly: "Let me go and seek the hapless Paulus; I return you thanks for your kindness but I cannot bear to stay here any longer.

I must go back to the mountain." The senator and his wife did not detain him, and when the court-yard gate had closed upon him a great stillness reigned in Petrus' sitting-room.

Dorothea leaned far back in her seat and sat looking in her lap while the tears rolled over her cheeks; Marthana held her hand and stroked it, and the senator stepped to the window and sighed deeply as he looked down into the dark court.

Sorrow lay on all their hearts like a heavy leaden burden.