Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/28

24 of the business which has procured you riches and honor. But take care that this sentiment does not mislead you sometimes. Already, this morning, in the assembly of the masters of the corporation, you have spoken in a manner to make you more than one enemy. However independent you may be, is it generous to abase others? See now what has just happened to you. You little thought, doubtlessly, of taking for other than pleasantry the words of Spangenberg; and yet with what bitterness you have called the people of the nobility, who might think of the hand of your daughter, avaricious fortune hunters. Could you not have answered him, what would have been more suitable and truer, that such a proposition coming from him, would have destroyed your most decided prejudices? You would have parted in a much more agreeable manner, and without leaving anything to wound more, some day, what you call your principles."

"At your ease, my dear counsellor," answered master Martin. "I agree that I may have been wrong; but why did this diabolical man pull, as it were, the words from my throat?"

"But still," continued Paumgartner, "what urges you to make your daughter marry a cooper by force? Is this not to wound the holiest laws of nature, to wish to limit the circle of the affections of a young girl? And do you not fear that there will proceed from it for you and for your child, the most deplorable results?"

"Yes, I feel now," replied the cooper, shaking his head; "I see that I ought to have told you the truth immediately. You think that my resolution not to accept any one for son-in-law except a cooper, comes from an exaggerated love for my profession. No, it is nothing of all that; I have a hidden motive. Seat yourself there, my dear Jacob, and listen to me, whilst drinking this flagon that, in his ill-humor, Spangenberg has left full. Touch glasses, I pray you; do me this favor."

Paumgartner understood nothing of the graciousness with