devote
our service; to the Spirit abiding in the universal, that we should be
submissive, until he calls us to another post. Whither? Wherefore? Who
can say? We experience the death of sweet individual relations, to
enter anew into the grand community of the eternal whole."

"You are without religion--no; you shall not say that of yourself, you
are not irreligious," exclaimed Manna.

"Many hold me for a laggard, others as cowardly and obsequious, because
I believe in God, in a wise consistency and gracious providence, in the
events which we meet in the history of mankind in general, and in the
course of life of individual men in particular."

Manna's cheeks were glowing, she unfolded her hands, she stretched
forth her hand as if she wished to give it to Eric, but, on its way, it
seized the flask and she said:--

"We are so grave; and really, am I not a sorry hostess?"

She poured out the wine for him, he drank it at a draught, and while he
was drinking, his gaze rested on Manna. She knew that he was
contemplating her, she cast down her eyes.

"I must make still another acknowledgment to you," she said. She
stopped as if waiting for breath, then she continued:--

"As you were speaking of your being now so sad because you can do
nothing more for Roland, it was becoming clearer and clearer to me anew
what happiness, what faith I also have lost."

She closed her eyes, she breathed heavily; then she opened her eyes
once more, and said:--

"I believed at one time that one could pray for another, for one
absent, a distant one, wherever and whatever he might be; I believed
that one could sacrifice himself for another, and everything would be
atoned for. Ah! now I believe so no more."

Eric made no answer; he knew with what a struggle this acknowledgment
was wrung from her lips. Silent they sat opposite each other, and a
thrill went through Eric. Now he knew that Manna loved him, for only to
the man she loved could she have confided what she had. A spiritual
cloud of joy and of grief seemed around him; this maiden loved him and
he loved her, her with such a dowry from such a father.

Luckily, a servant entered and told Eric that his mother was expecting
him.

"I will accompany you," said Manna, rising. She went to get her hat.

Eric was standing in the dining-hall; the plates and glasses and dishes
were dancing before his eyes. Manna returned quickly; her countenance
was more serene than ever; she was once more t