rush into bloom--and so I feel now, my little girl. Everything will be
well now, we shall be so wonderfully happy. The day before yesterday, do
you know, I still was not quite clear about it all. Your trouble gave me
no peace, and it went against the grain-well, you can understand. But
then, later, when I was lying in my room and the moon shone down on my
bed. . ." and a rapt expression came into his face that strangely
beautified his harsh features, "I could not help asking myself: 'Although
the moon went down into the sea this morning, does that prevent its
shining as brightly as ever to-night, and bringing a cooler breeze?' And
if a human soul has gone under in the same way, may it not rise up again,
bright and shining, when it has bathed and rested? And such a heart--of
course every man would like to have its love all to himself, but it may
have enough to give more than once. For, as I remembered, my mother,
though she loved me dearly, when another child came and yet another gave
them the best she had to give; and I was none the worse when she had my
youngest sister at the breast, nor was she when I was petted and kissed.
And it must be just the same with you. Thought I to myself: though she
once loved another man, she may still have a good share left for me!"

"Yes, indeed, Rustem !" she exclaimed, looking tearfully but gratefully
into his eyes. "All that is in me of love and tenderness is for you--for
you only."

At this he joyfully exclaimed:

"All, that is indeed good hearing! That will do for me; that is what I
call a good morning's work! I sat down under this tree a vagabond and a
wanderer, and I get up a future land-holder, with the sweetest little
wife in the world to keep house for me."