he young maiden, she had
the clear voice and the brisk movement of youthfulness, as she made a
gentle bow, and invited Eric to go with her. They were detained in the
entrance hall; a package for Manna had been received.

"Ah! the silk dress from the Moravians," she said. "I suppose you know,
Captain, that these people are not of our church, and still they get
their support from the church. Or are you a contemner, of the
Moravians, also?"

"'Contemner' is not my word, but I find their conduct inconsistent.
They are constantly preaching simplicity, renunciation of self,
contempt of show, and of worldly enjoyments, and they trade in silken
goods and, Havana cigars; they rely on the sinfulness of other men just
like the mendicant friar who says: 'I will not work and earn money, but
of course others should earn money for me to beg.'"

"Take in the package," said Manna to the servant.

She walked quietly on with Eric.

CHAPTER XIV.

FROM SIBYLLINE BOOKS.

On the way Manna said:--

"Do you know that I had an aversion for you, when I came here?"

"Yes indeed, I knew it."

"And why didn't you try to convert me from it?"

Eric was silent, and Manna asked him once more:--

"Is it then a matter of so much indifference to you what people think
of you?"

"No, but I am a servant of your house, and have no right to seek for
any special consideration in your sight."

"You are very proud."

"I do not deny it."

"Don't you know that pride is a fault?"

"To be sure, when one makes pretensions and detracts from the worth of
others. But I keep my pride for myself alone, or rather, I say with
St. Simon:--'If I consider myself I feel dejected, if I consider my
fellow-men I feel proud.'"

"You are too: clever for me," said Manna, banteringly.

"I don't like to hear you say so, for those are only empty words. No
man is too clever for another, if each one says to himself: 'I have
something in my own way too. You should not make use of such
expressions. My respect for you rests upon the very fact that I never
before heard from you an empty phrase. What you say is not always
logically true, but it is true for you."

"I thank you." Said Manna quickly, resting the tips of her fingers upon
his hand; and, as if recollecting herself, she added hastily once
more:--

"I thank you."

"I know not why it is; I have been delivered from an oppressive
melancholy, and I