Oh, sir!" continued he, as his voice faltered and his eyes filled with tears, "all that I have on earth is at your service!" De Vlierbeck pressed the hard hand of the rustic with a trembling grasp, as he replied,-- "You are a worthy man indeed, and I am, happy that it was once in my power to protect and serve you; but I cannot accept your offer, my friend: keep what you have earned by the sweat of your brow, and do not concern yourself for our future fate, for, with God's help, we shall find means to live." "Oh, sir," said the farmer, beseechingly, and clasping his hands in an attitude of entreaty, "do not reject the trifle I offer you;"-- he opened a drawer and pointed to a small heap of silver.--"See!" said he; "that is not the hundredth part of the good you have done us.

Grant me this favor, I beseech you: take this money, sir; and if it spare you a single suffering or trial I shall thank God for it on my knees!" Tears streamed down the wan and wrinkled cheeks of the poor gentleman as he replied,-- "Thanks! thanks! my friend; but I must refuse it.

All persuasion is useless.

Let us leave this room!" "But, sir," cried the farmer, in astonishment, "where do you intend to go?
Tell me, for God's sake!" "I cannot," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck, "for I don't know myself; and, even if I did, prudence would make me silent." Uttering these words, he returned to the other room, where he found everybody in tears.

He saw at once that for his own sake as well as his daughter's he must end these trying scenes; and accordingly, in a firm voice, he told her it was time to be gone.