Page:Love's trilogy.djvu/247

 T first I had only the kindest feelings for Marie's fiancé. He did not trouble me. Of course the day would come when Marie would be his. Yes, but now she was mine, and when I had done with her—why! then I would even give him my blessing into the bargain!

But it happened that the manufacturer became possessed by a high and mighty demon, and that he wanted to show his power over Marie. He, who ought to have stood modestly in the background, began to domineer, as if he were already her lawful master. He watched her jealously, he even dared to spy on her, and he would come to her with mysterious hints and threats, which she understood to refer to me.

In fact he succeeded so well as to frighten Marie. One day she declared that she dared not come and see me any longer. She was afraid of her manufacturer, who was known to be of a brutal disposition.

Then my patience was at an end, and I spoke to Marie as an angry and sorrowful prophet might speak to a renegade disciple: 'Who,' I asked, 'is your master, he or I? Who has made you happier than any other girl on earth. Who has led you into the promised land of love? Marie! Marie! would you turn from me, forgetting all I have done for you? But let me warn you, that if you break the oath that you have sworn to me, me, your master, to whom you belong, and from whom you cannot escape, then I will curse you and drive you