The Broken Cup | Page 2

doors were opened with a "Good morning," or a "Good evening,
Marietta," as it might be, while she nodded to the right and left with a
pleasant smile.
If Marietta walked into church, all hearts (that is, of the young people)
forgot Heaven; all eyes turned from the saints, and the worshiping
finger wandered idly among the pearls of the rosary. This must

certainly have provoked much sorrow, at least, among the more devout.
The maidens of Napoule particularly became very pious about this time,
for they, most of all, took the matter to heart. And they were not to be
blamed for it; for since the advent of Marietta more than one
prospective groom had become cold, and more than one worshipper of
some beloved one quite inconstant. There were bickerings and
reproaches on all sides, many tears, pertinent lectures, and even
rejections. The talk was no longer of marriages, but of separations.
They began to return their pledges of troth, rings, ribbons, etc. The old
persons took part with their children; criminations and strife spread
from house to house; it was most deplorable.
Marietta is the cause of all, said the pious maidens first; then the
mothers said it; next the fathers took it up; and finally all--even the
young men. But Marietta, shielded by her modesty and innocence, like
the petals of the rosebud in its dark-green calix, did not suspect the
mischief of which she was the occasion, and continued courteous to
everybody. This touched the young men, who said, "Why condemn the
pure and harmless child--she is not guilty!" Then the fathers said the
same thing; then the mothers took it up, and finally all--even the pious
maidens. For, let who would talk with Marietta, she was sure to gain
their esteem. So before half a year had passed, everybody had spoken
to her, and everybody loved her. But she did not suspect that she was
the object of such general regard, as she had not before suspected that
she was the object of dislike. Does the violet, hidden in the
downtrodden grass, think how sweet it is?
Now every one wished to make amends for the injustice they had done
Marietta. Sympathy deepened the tenderness of their attachment.
Marietta found herself greeted everywhere in a more friendly way than
ever; she was more cordially welcomed; more heartily invited to the
rural sports and dances.
All men, however, are not endowed with tender sympathy; some have
hearts hardened like Pharaoh's. This arises, no doubt, from that natural
depravity which has come upon men in consequence of the fall of
Adam, or because, at their baptism, the devil is not brought sufficiently

under subjection.
A remarkable example of this hardness of heart was given by one Colin,
the richest farmer and proprietor in Napoule, whose vineyards and olive
gardens, whose lemon and orange trees could hardly be counted in a
day. One thing particularly demonstrates the perverseness of his
disposition; he was twenty-seven years old, and had never yet asked for
what purpose girls had been created!
True, all the people, especially damsels of a certain age, willingly
forgave him this sin, and looked upon him as one of the best young
men under the sun. His fine figure, his fresh, unembarrassed manner,
his look, his laugh, enabled him to gain the favorable opinion of the
aforesaid people, who would have forgiven him, had there been
occasion, any one of the deadly sins. But the decision of such judges is
not always to be trusted. While both old and young at Napoule had
become reconciled to the innocent Marietta, and proffered their
sympathies to her, Colin was the only one who had no pity upon the
poor child. If Marietta was talked of he became as dumb as a fish. If he
met her in the street he would turn red and white with anger, and cast
sidelong glances at her of the most malicious kind.
If at evening the young people met upon the seashore near the old
castle ruins for sprightly pastimes, or rural dances, or to sing catches,
Colin was the merriest among them. But as soon as Marietta arrived the
rascally fellow was silent, and all the gold in the world couldn't make
him sing. What a pity, when he had such a fine voice I Everybody
listened to it so willingly, and its store of songs was endless.
All the maidens looked kindly upon Colin, and he was friendly with all
of them. He had, as we have said, a roguish glance, which the lasses
feared and loved; and it was so sweet they would like to have had it
painted. But, as might naturally be expected, the offended Marietta did
not look graciously upon him. And in that he was perfectly right.