as most difficult to pardon them; but if we take the
highest views, these were the ones who most needed forgiveness,
because, in spite of what they say, they really do not know what they
do, and we can always say of them. Lord, forgive them. There is nothing
left for us, but silently to pray for their salvation, imploring the
merciful Father to grant them redemption.

Without mentioning any name, he then went on to represent to her that
there are some people, who, with outward piety and self-complacency,
perform so-called good works, and borrow holy words for the expression
of thoughts far removed from what is really divine.

He thus described the Professorin without naming her.

Then he delineated others, who, full of knowledge, swerve constantly
from the central truth, and who, without having any fixed goal of their
own, imagine that they are able to lead others.

Thus he delineated Eric.

With the greatest caution he painted the men of the world, who wish to
force the Lord of heaven and earth to show them favor, and who with
their scoffs banish all humility. He openly named as examples Doctor
Richard and the Weidmann circle, but at the same time he had Sonnenkamp
in view, but the daughter must make this application for herself.

Manna listened eagerly. As she looked out of the window, her eyes
rested on her father's house, with the park and garden, and it seemed
to her as if they must all be overwhelmed, the waters surge up from the
Rhine, the everlasting floods submerge the earth, and only here in this
room is the ark of safety.

Timidly, hardly breathing the words aloud, she mournfully asked why the
task of returning into life was laid upon her.

The Priest gently consoled her, telling her that, as an eye which must
soon close, to open again in eternity, watched from this window over
all which passed below in the valley, so an unchanging eye was watching
over her; she must enter the tumult without fear, having within her
thoughts which looked down upon it all from a lofty height of their
own. This was the real trial specially laid upon her.

He went farther, and charged Manna not to come to him again for a long
time; she was to remain away for weeks and months, that she might gain
strength within herself; she was to be fettered by no external bond,
not even that of making stated visits to him, but all was to depend on
her own free, steadfast, independent will; leaning upon herself, with
no outward support