vertheless, she was deeply troubled, on reaching the villa, at having
brought hither a spirit which could not dwell under the roof. The
freedom of her soul was taken away, for that which she had kept in
concealment had now begun to exert an influence openly. It was no
longer subject to her control, and it might suddenly appear in a
frightful and perplexing form.

Frau Ceres was sick again. Fraeulein Perini could not be spared a
moment, and sent her thanks for the kindly greeting of the Professorin
and Sonnenkamp.

Like a child who is always bright and cheerful, always living in the
present moment, disturbed by no confusion, and no subtleties of
thought,--so appeared the Major, and every one took delight in his
steadfast and natural equability. He thought it was well that Manna had
not returned now; when the castle was completed, it would be just the
nicest thing: out of the convent into the castle. He should be glad
when they were all together again; he couldn't stand this everlasting
starting off and bursting away from each other like a bomb-shell; there
wasn't a better and finer place than right here in the country, and
they couldn't get anywhere more than sky, and water, and mountains, and
trees.

The Major cheered up the company, who were sitting at the tea-table in
a strangely absent mood. The Professorin afterwards accompanied him
home. She sat talking with Fraeulein Milch until it was quite late, and
appointed her as first assistant in the charitable organization. She
seemed exactly fitted for it, as she knew everybody and everybody's
circumstances. She desired that, for the first thing, a dozen sewing
machines should be distributed in the surrounding villages; she would
herself teach the women and girls how to use them.

The Major and Fraeulein Milch accompanied the Mother back to the villa
by starlight. She was refreshed and strengthened. Her soul was
peaceful, and a saying of Goethe's seemed to be sounding within
her:--"Thou canst not perceive what thou art by reflection, but only by
seeking to perform thy duty."

She had a work before her that would uplift her and the whole
neighborhood.

CHAPTER VII.

A NEW DOOR IN THE WALL.

The Professor's widow accompanied the Doctor for several days in his
professional rounds. She obtained in this way, by direct observation,
an insight into the country life.

She laid before Sonnenkamp a plan matur