Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/116

 stances, raises the wandering youth far above thee; and now he despises the purest affection, on account of thy poverty. Surrounded by splendour, wealth and pomp, who knows but he adores some prouder beauty, who abandoned him, when humbled in the dust, and, now with the voice of a syren, calls him back. Perhaps, the tones of adulation have turned his heart from thee. His new friends will tell him that he may choose among the richest and the best in his native city; that many fathers will be ready to give him their daughters, and that no maiden will reject him; they will teach him to look for power and importance, and to connect himself with some weighty family; and to forget poor Mela.”

Such thoughts, inspired by jealousy, disturbed and tormented her incessantly. The first news of the change in her silent lover’s circumstances had filled her with delight; not that she wished on her own account to share so large a fortune; but to gratify her mother, who had given up every idea of worldly happiness, since she refused the rich brewer. Now Mela wished that