With a great air of mystery he begged permission to speak to the fair Lucia , of whose skill in needlework he had heard so much , as he had a commission to give her . Dame Ilse had her own opinion as to what kind of commission it was likely to be -- brought by a young stranger to a pretty maiden ; however , as the meeting would be under her own eye , she made no objection , but called to her industrious daughter , who left off working and came obediently ; but when she saw the stranger she stopped short , blushing , and casting down her eyes . 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 . My rich uncle has died , leaving me money and goods in plenty , so that I dare to present myself to your mother as a suitor for your hand . That I love you I know well ; if you can love me I am indeed a happy man . ' Lucia 's pretty blue eyes had looked up shyly as he spoke , and now a smile parted her rosy lips ; and she stole a glance at her mother to see what she thought about it all ; but the dame stood lost in amazement to find that her daughter , whom she could have declared had never been out of her sight , was already well acquainted with the handsome stranger , and quite willing to be his bride . Before she had done staring , this hasty wooer had smoothed his way by covering the shining table with gold pieces as a wedding gift to the bride 's mother , and had filled Lucia 's apron into the bargain ; after which the dame made no difficulties , and the matter was speedily settled . 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 . A few days later a heavily laden waggon drove up , and out of it came so many boxes and bales that Dame Ilse was lost in wonder at the wealth of her future son-in-law . The day for the wedding was chosen , and all their friends and neighbours were bidden to the feast . As Lucia was trying on her bridal wreath she said to her mother : ` This wedding-garland would please me indeed if father Peter could lead me to the church . If only he could come back again ! Here we are rolling in riches while he may be nibbling at hunger 's table . ' And the very idea of such a thing made her weep , while even Dame Ilse said : ' I should not be sorry myself to see him come back -- there is always something lacking in a house when the good man is away . '
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