th us also sincere repentance or
devout faith must accompany the gift, the fasting, and whatever else the
believer imposes upon himself here below. Man is so constituted that the
only things which make a deep impression are those that the body also
feels. The teacher's blow has a greater effect than his words, a gift
produces more willingness than an entreaty, and the tendency toward
asceticism and penance is genuinely Christian, and belongs to many
a people of a different faith. Your Erasmus said that his heart was
Catholic, but his stomach desired to be Protestant. You have an easier
task than we."

"On the contrary," the young theologian burst forth. "It is mere child's
play for you to obtain forgiveness by acts which really do not cut
deeply into the flesh; but if one of us errs, how hard must be the
conflict in his own breast ere he attains the conviction that his guilt
is expiated by deep repentance and better deeds!"

"I can answer for that," here interposed old Ursel, who from her
arm-chair had listened to the conversation between the two with intense
interest.

"Good heavens! One went forth from the confessional as pure as a white
dove after absolution had been received and the penance performed; but
now that I belong to the Protestants, it is hard to reach a perfect
understanding with the dear Saviour and one's self."

"And ought that to redound to the discredit of my faith?" asked Wolf.
"So far as I have learned to know men, the majority, at least, will not
hasten to attain our Ursel's complete understanding with one's self.
I should even fear that there are many among you who no longer feel a
desire to heed little sins and their forgiveness----"

Here Ursel again interrupted him with an exclamation of dissent,
accompanied by a gesture of denial from her thin old hand; but Wolf
glanced at the clock which the precentor had received as a testimonial
of affection from the members of the cathedral choir, which he had led
for years.

It was already half past one, and for the sake of Ursel, who was still
obliged to take care of herself, he urged departure, adding gaily that
he had not the ability to "defend himself against two." Erasmus, too,
was surprised to find it so late, and, after shaking hands with the
old woman and promising to visit her soon again, seized his cap. Wolf
accompanied him.

The May night was sultry, and the air in the low room had been hot and
oppressive.

He would gladly have dropp