"Why need you have told me?" said Lenz. "I am almost jealous of the past, never of the future, that I promise. I know your truth, Annele, but it pains me to think that others have so much as raised their eyes to you. Let bygones be bygones. We begin our life anew." Annele's face beamed with unwonted softness as he spoke. A portion of his own purity and candor fell upon her, and made her gentle and loving. She knew not how better to express this new sentiment in her than by saying: "Lenz, you need not have bought me any bridal present. You have no need to do as others do. I am sure of you. There is something better than all the gold chains in the world." The tears stood in her eyes as she spoke, and Lenz was happier than ever. The church clock was striking five when they took their places in the wagon and set out for home. "My dear father made that clock," said Lenz, "and Faller helped him. By the way, that luckily reminds me. Faller says you took offence at some awkward speech of his; he will not tell me what it was. You must forgive him. He is a plain-spoken soldier, and often says awkward things, but he is a good fellow at heart." "Maybe so. But see here, Lenz, you have too many burrs clinging to you. You must shake them off." "I shall not give up my friends." "Heaven forbid that I should ask you to! I only mean you must not let every one get hold of you, and persuade you into everything he likes." "There you are quite right. That is a weakness of mine, I know. You must warn me whenever you see me in danger, till I am thoroughly cured of it." At these words, so pleasantly and humbly spoken, Annele suddenly stood up straight in the carriage. "What is the matter? what is it?" asked Lenz. "Nothing, nothing. I don't know why I got up. I believe I don't sit quite right. That is better. Does not our carriage ride nicely?" "Yes, indeed. We sit in an easy-chair, and yet are abroad in the world. It is right pleasant driving. I never before drove in my own carriage, for your father's is the same as mine." "Certainly." They passed Proebler on the road. He stood still as the lovers passed, and saluted repeatedly. "I should like to take the old man in with us," said Lenz. "What an absurd idea!" laughed Annele. "Proebler on a bridal drive!" "You are right," answered Lenz. "We should not be so cosey all by ourselves here with a third person sitting opposite, seeing and hearing everything. It is not being unkind not to invite anybody to drive with us now. This is a time when we need to be happy all by ourselves. How beautiful it is! The whole world seems to laugh. Proebler laughed too, and I am sure was not offended. He would understand that I could not give away a second of this hour."