"We have found him," was the cry he suddenly heard in the streets, as the sound of a horn rung through the silent night, and the Pastor went out to welcome back his brother-in-law. When they were again in the sitting-room, Edward told how Joseph had been found in the Forest Mill, with Adam's betrothed bride, Tony, He did not stop to describe minutely the fierce rage of the ungovernable Roettmaennin, he spoke with enthusiasm of the kind honest sympathy shown by all the villagers:-- "These men," said he, "possess nothing but their lives, and their sound limbs, to enable them to struggle on through life, and yet with the utmost decision and confidence, as if it could not be otherwise, they, every one, exposed themselves to danger in order to save a lost child; this proved to me, dear brother, that your heart lived in all these men--you were at home, and yet they all came with us. I cannot but think that it must be a severe trial to you to leave such people." The Pastor answered nothing; neither in assent or dissent, and the Pastorin asked:-- "So the Forest Miller's Tony has given up Adam? Heaven be praised for that! She has a pure and true heart, and is sure to do well in the world. Why did you not bring her with you to the village? I wish you had brought her here to me, Edward. She stands in great need of some one to interpose between her and her stepmother, and also the fierce old Roettmaennin." Edward did not say a syllable, but he breathed hard; in the mean time the Paster rejoined:-- "Don't be uneasy about Tony, she is wood of a fine and solid grain, and we cannot avert from others the consequences of their own actions, either for good or evil. They who have courage enough to do a deed, have also courage enough to endure its consequences, and ought to have it." Edward looked up more cheerfully, but his cheeks glowed, and his sister, on seeing this, said:--"You are quite feverish--do go and lie down, and I will bring you a cup of tea when you are in bed." Edward was very reluctant to follow this advice, and yet he felt quite dizzy; he had gone through more than he cared at this moment to confess. There was a knock at the door:-- "Come in," cried the Pastorin, but as there was an evident hesitation in doing so, she opened the door herself, and in came Speidel-Roettmann, Schilder-David and his wife, and, behind them, Adam and Martina. "Herr Pastor," said Schilder-David, stepping forward, "God has helped us wonderfully; we hope you will give us further aid, and speedily too, that all things may be done in order." "What do you wish me to do?" "Speak yourself;" and David drew back, jogging Speidel-Roettmann's arm. "What I want," began the latter, repeatedly stroking his closely cropped head with his hand, as if wishing to give a token of respect by pulling off an imaginary hat--"What I want, and I have not a word to say against it, is that the Herr Pastor should marry Adam to Martina this afternoon."