'He collected himself, and began, hesitating: "It is—but Martha—thou must not be angry with me."
'In surprise, she smiled. "Angry with thee, Jonas! If I would be, and should be, could I be?"
'"Listen, Martha; I will shew thee—I must tell thee—I know a man anxious to have thy heart and hand—who—even who"——
'"O Jonas, reproach me rather, but do not make mockery of me, a poor maiden!" exclaimed she, shocked or hurt, while her face lost all its colour, and she turned from him.
'"Martha, look at me. He is assuredly no bad man. I will bring him to thee; I will give him to thee myself."
'"No, Jonas! no! From thee, least of all, can I receive a lover."
'"From me, least of all!" asked he with visible emotion. "From me, least of all! And if—I don't know—if I would give thee myself—Look at me, Martha! Tell me."
'Here silence ensued. She stood before him with downcast eyes and glowing cheeks, and played with her apron-string. Then, as if still doubting, she looked up again, her eyes swimming with tears, and said, with trembling lips: "What must I say, then?"
'Jonas took courage, and whispered, half aloud: "Dost thou love me with all thy heart?"
'Half aloud, Martha whispered back: "Thy heart knows it."