“Believe me, George, he will _not_ let me go; never, and certainly not with _you_. I have not spoken about it before”--the red blood colored her face deeply--“but I must tell you now. Even when my mother was still living, he pursued me with his hateful caresses; I threatened to tell my mother, and he kept away for a time. But last summer he left the others at the inn one evening and came home alone; he tried to make love to me and promised to marry me. But I told him what I thought of him, and now he hates me and tries to get his revenge wherever he can.” George grew pale to the lips and the breath struggled in his breast. “The scoundrel!” he panted. “And to think of your staying here with him! Never! You go with me, and I would like to know how he can prevent it!” “George, beware of him! He is capable of murdering any one weaker than himself!” “I am not afraid of him.” And George drew up his slight figure until he looked like a different man. “He attacked me from behind and unawares; but now I shall be on my guard. Let us go to him, and quietly and firmly tell him of our resolution. You will see how he gives in; for, wicked as he may be, he _must_ see that he has neither right nor power to keep you.” She wrung her hands in despair. “Resi, take courage!” he said very earnestly. “Will you let me go alone?” She flew to him and clasped her hands around his neck. “Well, then”--and he gently stroked her hair--“let us go!” Together they slowly walked toward the house; she with a heart full of anguish and fear of what she knew was about to happen; he full of confidence and indomitable courage. As they crossed the threshold, they saw the foreman sitting at the table peeling potatoes. He looked almost startled, seeing them enter together, but soon his surprise changed to anger and fury. “What do you want here, you two?” he cried, half rising and grasping the knife firmly, as if for battle. “You discharged me,” George answered coolly, “and I am come to get my things and to tell you that Tertschka goes with me.” The foreman made a motion as if to throw himself upon George, but involuntarily drew back again before the quiet, determined face of the latter. “I have nothing to say to such talk,” he growled. “You need not say anything,” said George. “Tertschka is free to come and go as she pleases.” The foreman laughed. George continued: “Now take what belongs to you, Resi,” and, turning to look for his own knapsack, “then let us go.” The heart of the other man labored heavily. For a moment he evidently did not know what to do. Irresolutely he looked at Tertschka, who could not conceal her fear, then quick as a flash as she was going toward her trunk he rushed at her and pushed her down into the cellar through the half-open door. He locked it and put the key into his pocket. “There, that is my answer,” he stuttered, trembling all over with excitement, while he sat down at the table again, pretending to go on with his work.