Page:The German Novelists (Volume 3).djvu/51

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Musæus.
41

declared the kind and filial intentions he was indulging respecting her, and her very pleasing and virtuous daughter. The visit of a patron saint or an angel, accompanied with such a revelation, could not have afforded the good old lady more pleasure than the brewer’s. She was now about to reap the fruits of her long and persevering efforts;—her hopes would at length be gratified. She fancied she saw her daughter placed beyond the reach of poverty, surrounded with opulence, and happy. She thought how lucky it was that they had changed their place of residence; and considering poor Frank as in some measure the cause, she felt kindly disposed even towards him. Though she had conceived some dislike for him, she still promised after what he had done in her behalf, to give him, in some way or other, a share in their approaching prosperity.

She already fancied the marriage articles were as good as copied, only she felt herself bound in propriety to take a short time to deliberate. So she returned thanks to the honourable brewer for his kind intentions, said she would acquaint her daughter, and trusted she should be able to give him a favourable answer in the course of a week. With this promise, the King of Hops took his departure, very well pleased at the progress of the negociation.

Scarcely had he cleared the vicinity, before reels, spinning-wheels, &c. were all thrown aside,