ot consider her refusal to marry him a matter of much
importance, as she concluded his offer had arisen only from a desire to
transfer his friendship from the father to the daughter. His
unexpected outburst of passion alarmed her, although in her childish
innocence, she did not fully understand why she felt so deeply
insulted. The thought that he had given her a love which she could not
return made her fearful of hurting his feelings in some way beyond her
comprehension, and she endeavored to subdue her anger sufficiently to
answer him.

"Forgive me if I wound you, Brother Jonathan, but I cannot help it. I
do not love you as you desire, and I neither deserve nor wish that you
should have such a warm feeling for me."

"Carmen, you surely cannot mean what you say. I have taken you by
surprise. Calm yourself, and do not make this a final decision." He
attempted to approach her again, but the maiden shrank back from him in
terror.

"I cannot do otherwise," she said firmly. "Now let me, I pray, go on
my way in peace. Sister Agatha must be waiting for me."

At the mention of the Sister's name, Jonathan gave an anxious glance at
Carmen. It flashed on his mind what fearful consequences might result
from his conduct. He remembered the law of the Brotherhood, which
required that the members must report the slightest departure from
strict morality in any one of their number, so that the delinquent be
reprimanded and excluded once or twice from the monthly celebration of
the Communion. Should he give evidence of repentance, and return to
the right path, he might be restored to his usual privileges; but if he
should not acknowledge his fault, he must absent himself from the
society of others, and, in an extreme case, be banished from the
Brotherhood.

Brother Jonathan, heretofore so strict, and spotless in his reputation,
to be publicly accused and admonished! What an appalling example of
fallen greatness!

At the mention of Agatha's name, he endeavored to resume his habitual
calmness. He passed his hand over his eyes, as if to blot out the
remembrance of the passion which yet burned within him, and gradually
regained, in voice and manner, a more collected mien.

"You have seen, dear Sister, how our passions sometimes get the mastery
over us, and how vain are our efforts to subdue them, even though we
have devoted ourselves to a religious life!" said he, in an humble
tone. "If you cannot give me your love, you