"He could evidently scarcely sustain himself, we brought him into the house, and there he remained nearly unconscious for more than an hour; he covered his face with his hands, and large tears were seen trickling down through his fingers. "At last he rose, and standing erect by a strong effort, he said: "'May God reward you, Herr Pastor. Here is my hand; may I die an evil death if I harm my Martina----'here he was interrupted by his tears, which flowed afresh at this name--'if my Martina suffers through me either by word or deed. God has punished me through her; I must, indeed, be a miserable sinner. I was too proud of my children, and more especially of her, and she is now wretched enough; I will sin against fatherly love no more.' "My husband wished to go home with him, but he firmly declined this. "'I must learn to pass along the street alone with this stain of shame. I have been too proud. My head is bowed down till the hour when I descend into the grave. A thousand thanks, Herr Pastor. May God reward you!' "The man whose gait had been hitherto so proud and erect, now crept home a miserable object. When he was gone my husband related to me the frightful scene he had witnessed. Those present, however, told me afterwards that my husband had shown the most unexampled patience and gentleness towards David, who was in a state of raging fury, exclaiming frantically: 'I am like Job. Oh God! strike me dumb, in order that I may no longer curse myself and the whole world--but there is no justice, none in heaven, and none on earth.' "My husband at length succeeded in pacifying him, but when David was at last gone, I never saw my husband so worn out and exhausted as on that occasion. "Leegart kept her promise, and was godmother to little Joseph; and his father, Adam Roettmann, was also present at his baptism. "Adam had a fine life of it at home, for daring to go to the village, and from that time he was watched, and imprisoned like a malefactor, the old Roettmaennin having complaisant spies every where in her pay, for she does not grudge money for her own purposes.