They seated themselves upon the bench. Long, long they sat silently.

At last Hans said, "My dear, true girl, how pale you have grown. Are you
ill?"

She shook her head. "No more, and I trust never again. But you stayed
away much too long. Couldn't you have come back sooner?"

"No, my dear, I could _not_. Had I returned as a poor, struggling
carver your father would have banished me from his door-step. We should
then have seen each other again, only to be parted for the second time.
So I waited till I had accomplished what I set out to do. I have
traveled extensively and feasted my eyes on the beautiful works of art
in great cities. I have studied under Durer, and now my name is
mentioned with honor as one of Durer's pupils."

"Oh, Hans, do you really believe that that will soften my father's
heart?" said Marie, anxiously.

"Yes, Marie, I don't think that he can fail me. I heard in Nurnberg that
a new altar is to be built in this Cathedral, so I hastened here to
compete. Should I be deemed worthy to do such a piece of work, what
could your father have against me?"

Marie, however, shook her head doubtfully; but Hans was full of hope.

"But see how our rose-bush has grown!" cried Hans in astonishment. "You
tended it well; but it seems almost as if the roses had taken from you
all your life and strength and health. Return my darling's strength to