Part 53 (1/2)

He spoke with a heartfelt anxiety, yet he now looked handsome with love and feeling.

”My friend, my benefactor,” answered Eva, and wiped away some tears which rolled down her cheeks, ”see into--read my inmost heart. Grat.i.tude led me to the acknowledgment of your worth, and both have led me to love; not the pa.s.sionate love which I once felt--but never more can feel--but a deep inward devotion, which will make me and, as I also hope, you happy, and which nothing further can disturb. To live for you, and next to you for my family, is the highest wish that I have on earth.

I can candidly say that in this moment there is no one whom I love more than you. Is that enough for you?”

The a.s.sessor riveted his deep eyes searchingly and penetratingly on Eva.

”Kiss me!” said he, at once short and sharp.

With an indescribably charming submission, Eva bowed her blus.h.i.+ng face and kissed him.

”Lord G.o.d!” said Jeremias, ”and you are mine! In his name then!” and with unspeakable emotion clasped he his long beloved to his heart. He held her long, and only deep sighs arose from his heart overflowing with happiness. At length he tore himself from her, and as if animated with new youth he sprang forward, and exclaimed to the company a.s.sembled in the library, ”Nay, now it is all made up--I take her--she shall have me--she shall have me! She is worthy to be my wife, and I am worthy to be her husband! Now then, you without there, will not you drink our healths?”

All gathered around the bowl--Louise with the rest--the eight following her--it was all a joyful bustle. Leonore and Petrea kept back the little tumultuous ones amid laughter, and promised to carry the gla.s.ses to them if they would only keep their places.

At length quiet returned to the a.s.sembly, the gla.s.ses were filled, and the skl began.

No. 1, which the Judge proposed, was ”for the newly betrothed.”

No. 2, which Jacobi spoke eloquently, was ”for the Parents; for their happiness and well-being,” said he, with emotion, ”through which I, and so many others as well as I, are blessed!”

No. 3, was drunk to ”the prosperity of the new Pastor's family.”

No. 4, for ”the new purchased land.”

No. 5, for ”the old--ever-new Home.”

No. 6, was ”the health of all good children!” The eight seemed as if they could not return thanks enough.

After this yet a many other particular toasts were given. The young Jacobis drank incessantly to the aunts--Gabriele must continually make her gla.s.s clink against those of her little nephews.

In the mean time Jeremias Munter made with love-warm looks the following speech to his bride. ”That was a joke now! that you should have made me of such consequence! How did she know that I would have her? To woo me yourself, and to take me so by surprise! To give me no time to think.