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While Ilse gathered up the gold and hid it away safely, the lovers whispered together, and what Friedlin told her seemed to make Lucia every moment more happy and contented. Now a great hurry-burly began in the house, and preparations for the wedding went on apace.
Soon afterwards the young people settled in a fine house which Friedlin had bought, and had a garden and meadows, a fishpond, and a hill covered with vines, and were as happy as the day was long. Father Peter also stayed quietly with them, living, as everybody believed, upon the generosity of his rich son-in law.
This speech roused Dame Ilse to anger, and she broke out into such shrill reproaches that the bystanders were fairly deafened, and Friedlin hastily offered Master Peter a home with Lucia and himself, promising that he should live in comfort, and be always welcome. So Lucia had her heart's desire, and father Peter led her to the church next day, and the marriage took place very happily.
Thereupon he showed him the treasure hidden under the nails, and unfolded to him his plan, which was that Friedlin should play the part of the rich son-in-law, and keep a still tongue, that they might enjoy their wealth together in peace. The young man was overjoyed at this sudden change in his fortunes, and did not know how to thank father Peter for his generosity.
As they parted, father Peter's last commands to Friedlin were to guard well their secret, and not even to tell it to Lucia till she was his wife. Master Peter long enjoyed the profits of his journey to the mountain, and no rumour of it ever got abroad. In his old age his prosperity was so great that he himself did not know how rich he was; but it was always supposed that the money was Friedlin's.
They took the road again at dawn the next morning, and soon reached a town, where Friedlin equipped himself as a gallant wooer should.
'Comrade, cried Friedlin indignantly, for he thought Peter did but jest with him, 'it is ill done to mock at an unhappy man; you had better find someone else who will let himself be taken in with your fine promises. And up he sprang, and was going off hastily, when Master Peter caught him by the arm. 'Stay, hothead! he cried; 'it is no jest, and I am prepared to make good my words.
He looked at her fondly, and took her hand, which she tried to draw away, crying: 'Ah! Friedlin, why are you here? I thought you were a hundred miles away. Are you come to grieve me again? 'No, dearest girl, answered he; 'I am come to complete your happiness and my own. Since we last met my fortune has utterly changed; I am no longer the poor vagabond that I was then.
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