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"There is no dishonesty there; but there are lines I do not understand Oh, I can not see everything; it is like seeing people in a mist They pass instantly and disappear But I repeat, do you els I love her; before all ladly declare it Gretchen shall never come to harm at these hands I swear it"

"I believe you" The old worandmother," said Gretchen "Now, read what my hand says"

The old woman took the hand She loved Gretchen

"I read that you are gentle and brave and cheerful, that you have a loyal heart and a pure mind I read that you are in love and that some day you will be happy" A smile went over her face, a kind of winter sunset

"You are not looking at randmother," said Gretchen in reproach

"I do not need, randain to the vintner "So you will take her away from me?"

"Will it be necessary?" he returned quietly "Have you any objection to randchild, such as Gretchen is?"

The old woman made no answer She closed her eyes and did not open then that the intervieas ended But as he rose to his feet there was a sound outside A carriage had stopped Soan to climb the stairs The noise ceased only when the visitor reached the top landing Then all beca on up there," said Gretchen in a whisper

"In ay?" asked the vintner in like undertones

"Three tiht, three times a man muffled up so one could not see his face"

"Let us not question our twenty-crowns rent, Gretchen," interrupted the grand as the police are not brought to our door, it is not our affair Leopold, Gretchen, give me your hands" She placed them one upon the other, then spread out her hands above their heads "The Holy Mother bring happiness and good luck to you, Gretchen"

"And to me?" said the youth

"I could not wish you better luck than to give you Gretchen Now, leave me"