th it; but it is the child's
soul that we value, and we do not stop to inquire whether worldlings
believe it or not."

The Professorin was glad to find herself at last in the cell where she
was to sleep. She had never slept at a convent, and she had again the
disagreeable feeling of being a traitress and a spy. She said to
herself with a smile:--

"I am rejoiced now that I forgot Parker's book; it would be a fresh
treachery to have and to read his words and his thoughts here in this
house."

She gave up the purpose of exerting an influence over Manna, for here
were prior experiences which were beyond her control, and relations
that were involved in obscurity. A deep sorrow preyed upon the child,
which could only be revealed at the confessional, and which perhaps
there only could find relief.

The Professorin was deeply disturbed, and had troubled dreams. She
seemed to be in the midst of Wallenstein's camp, and in fetters as a
spy; she was being interrogated by the sergeant of the guard, when, all
of a sudden, he was changed into Professor Einsiedel, who said to
her:--

"Be not afraid, I have influence on every one here, I will set you at
liberty."

Then she was standing in the midst of the court-circle, and all were
laughing at the _vivandiere_--years ago when she was a young,
frolicsome girl, she had once taken that part--and now, as she met the
glance of her son; she felt ashamed of her appearance.

These dreams whirled through her brain in strange confusion. She was
rejoiced, on waking, to find that it was all a dream.

The hour for rising at the convent was a very early one, but long
before the matin bell of the church rang, the Professorin had dressed,
and stood watching from her cell the breaking day. The impressions of
her troubled dreams faded like the mists on the river, which were now
struggling with the dawning light. She dwelt in imagination upon the
hundreds of young souls who now lay asleep, preparing to meet a
peaceful future. She thought upon the nuns who had renounced life, to
whom the day brought no event of personal interest, nothing but the
uniform round of duty.

She shuddered as she thought of venturing to disturb such a life.

There may be many incidental and casual irregularities here, she
thought, but a holy will has authority over these spirits; and at this
early morning hour, a saying of her husband's recurred to her:--

"You can oppose an established positive religion only by h