Thoma arose.
"I thank you, Anton. I thank you a thousand times; but I cannot. Good night; I thank you."
"No! You shall stay here, and I will go," cried Landolin, as Thoma turned toward the house.
"Anton, for my part, I am----But settle matters alone between yourselves."
He hastened into the house. Anton and Thoma were alone.
"You need not speak, Thoma. Give me a kiss, and that will say everything."
"I cannot. Anton, 'tis hard for me to talk. I would far rather be dumb, and unable to speak. Anton, it's good and kind of you to come. But tell me,--you are honest--tell me, does your father feel toward my father as you do? Is it not true,--you can't say yes?--you are here against his will. Your father"----
"My father honors and loves you."
"I believe that. But, Anton, I can never be happy again, nor bring happiness to others. I beg of you strike our house from your mind. One blow will be enough to destroy it."
"Oh! Your house still stands firm. Thoma, you were right. On that day I did not know what I saw or what I heard; but now that is all past. Thoma, I know you. Your heart is honest, and I cannot blame you for it, though it gives you much sorrow. Thoma, you cannot appear to be happy before the world, because you are not happy. Say, do I not understand you?"