Seite:Marsh Hallig 1856.djvu/132

132THE HALLIG.

so highly, do you pass by without sympathy those who
are equally uncultivated, but with less external beauty ?"
  "It is quite natural that those who possess external
beauty should excite particular interest."
  "Yes, quite natural," replied the pastor, "if we are
in the habit of allowing our interest to depend upon
mere physical charms."
  "You take the matter too seriously," said Oswald
smiling, having recovered entirely from his momentary
embarrassment ; "but, as shepherd, you are quite right
to see that no mischief happen to any of your flock."
  "Was there then any wrong intended," said Hold,
with a severer tone ; and Oswald, who felt himself
caught by his own expression, answered after a pause,
  "I have told you already that I desired for the girl,
who, I will not deny, pleased me much, at first sight, a
little more cultivation of mind and heart, and accord-
ingly gave her the books."
  "For Maria's sake," resumed the pastor, "I should
not have wasted a word about this affair. She has that
innocence which may drink poison, and be unharmed —
which may tread upon serpents, and be unwounded ;
her heart is simple and devout. For her understanding
sin is too high ; for her heart it is too low. But for
your sake, young man, permit me to say a few words.
Compare yourself, for once, in your own conscience, with
this Maria. You know much, she very little. You
know the history, the language, and the customs of na-
tions ; Maria's knowledge is almost entirely confined
within the sphere of this little island. You have seen
and experienced much, and can talk of a hundred thou-
sand things, the names of which Maria has never heard.