OAK-TREE. 81 



his chamber window; and though the lord of the soil 

 had marked that tree in his own mind, he would not allow 

 it to be cut down while the hermit lived. 



At length the tree was felled, and afterwards converted 

 into wine casks that were purchased by the husband of 

 Annette. 



It chanced that one of the wine casks had been rolled, at 

 the time of grape-gathering, beside the cottage, and Annette, 

 having gone forth to enjoy the freshness of the morning, 

 had seated herself, with her two rosy children, on a rustic 

 seat, that overlooked her husband's vineyard, fondling the 

 baby in her arms, while the youngest child gathered flowers 

 among the grass. The green valley lay in front, and the 

 hut was still standing in the far-off nook where dwelt the 

 hermit; while Annette looked towards the spot, her eyes 

 filled with tears, and gratitude arose within her heart, in 

 thinking how the old man's blessing was fulfilled. 



A stranger passed at the time, apparently absorbed in 

 a kind of dreamy fancy. An image of the Holy Family 



