plan came under the
observation of the elders, a committee called on Mauer and represented
to him that such a thing would be a gross violation of the severe laws
respecting the simple style of building used in the settlement, and
would give cause for great offence. The inhabitants of the town must
be content to live without ostentation and show, abiding by the general
customs, and conducting themselves as humble members of the faith.

"Just to think: I, an old man, was going to set such a bad example and
encourage foolish ideas!" said Mauer to his daughter, deeply mortified.
"When one has been abroad, in different lands, as I have, much that
belongs to the outside world clings to him when he gets home, and is
never so noticeable as when he mingles once more with his brethren.
The renouncing of our own will, and compliance with the wishes of
others, has all to be learned over again."

"But," cried Carmen, impatiently, "they find impropriety in so many
things here that one must needs give up thinking, in order to please
them. The free spirit within us is so cramped and restricted that we
cease to be individuals. It is surely not necessary to make automatons
of ourselves if we wish to be good. No; we should choose the right of
our own free will, because it is right; then we will not fail to do
what is pleasing in the sight of God."

"Free spirit within us! What do you mean by that? We are so often the
slaves of our own desires that our ideas of right and wrong get
confused, and we lose our own souls thereby," returned her father, much
agitated. "We should, therefore, never reject the path which our
religion requires us to choose, but rather submit patiently, without
arguing or any wish to rebel."

Thus the building which had been so beautifully planned, and with so
much pleasure, turned out to be, when finished, just like all the
others. But Carmen did not bear the frustration of their cherished
hopes as calmly as the old man. Her visit to Wollmershain, although it
had not given rise to any new tastes or dislikes regarding the home
customs, had strengthened the long-buried desires which lay within her
breast, and quickened her natural spirit of resistance to the existing
state of things. Frau von Trautenau, as well as the style and manner
of life at Wollmershain, was peculiarly congenial to her taste.
Therefore, although the visit had never been repeated, she often lived
it over again in her thoughts, and in