s
wrung from his lips.

"No, never! Urge me not, my father; it would bring untold misery on
me, and afford happiness to no one."

A deep flush rose to Jonathan's brow, and anger and disappointment
completely triumphed over self-control. "You cannot be my wife, Sister
Carmen? Very well; then you will be the wife of Brother Daniel in the
land of the Caffres. Do you think I am going to tolerate your
rebellious, stubborn spirit, which is so unsuitable to a member of our
community? Let your father tell you that I have the means in my hands
to compel you to decide between the two fates!"

As he spoke, Carmen sprang up, and, drawing herself to her full height,
measured him with a proud, contemptuous look; then, as if unable to
bring herself to address him, she turned to her father and said calmly:
"Dear father, speak for your child, and protect her!"

She clasped her hands imploringly; while he shook his head in sorrow
and grief, but remained silent.

"Father," she cried, "have you nothing to say?"

No sound issued from his pallid lips; the anguish of his soul was
betrayed only in his eyes.

Burying her face in her hands, Carmen now broke down utterly; and
Jonathan's evil countenance gleamed with triumph. As she appeared
before him, bowed in despair and grief, like some beautiful flower
crushed by a ruthless hand, his eyes feasted themselves on the lovely
girl, who was at last humbled and forced to give herself to him.

"You will do well to consider the matter calmly, and give me your final
decision, Brother Michael. I will return this evening for it. We will
try to help each other in a spirit of brotherly love, and you well know
I am willing to exercise mercy and patience, as we are commanded; but
there are times when both must cease." Saying thus, he left the room.

* * * * * *

Brother Mauer sat alone with his daughter, and a deathly silence
enwrapped the two, left alone together with their grief. The sky was
still dark, with threatening dark clouds, which threw their deep
shadows over the room, and at intervals a blinding flash of lightning
illuminated with dazzling ray the bowed figures of father and daughter;
while loud claps of thunder called to them, as if to rouse them from
the sorrowful trance.

But they stirred not. Outside, the rain poured in torrents, and the
wind swept howling by; but they seemed not to hear. At last Mauer's
hand felt its way to the girl's head,