ken contemplated with a great deal
of self-satisfaction this comparison, as pretty as it was new.

Manna did not say a great deal; at last she asked,--

"Who may this Captain Dournay be, of whom Roland writes to me so
enthusiastically?"

Pranken winced a little, but he said smilingly,--

"I was so fortunate as to find a poor young man to instruct our
Roland--permit me to speak of him so, for I love him like a brother--in
a variety of matters. I think that it will do Roland no harm to acquire
information from the man."

"Roland writes me that he is an intimate friend of yours."

"Herr Dournay has probably said so to him, and I will not contradict
it, if Roland is thus led to entertain a higher respect for a teacher.
But, my dear Fraeulein, I may venture to say to you that I am somewhat
sparing in the use of the word friend, and I would therefore rather
not--"

"Then tell me something of the character of this man who calls himself
your friend."

"Excuse me from giving the particular details. You yourself will
certainly agree with me, that it is our duty to help toward the good
one who is striving to turn from the error of his ways, even if we
cannot wholly blot out the past."

"What, then, has this Herr Dournay done?" interposed the superior. "I
should be sorry on his mother's account, who was a companion of my
youth; she is a Protestant, to be sure, but she is what the world calls
good and noble."

Pranken appeared perplexed, but with a motion of the hand which implied
careful consideration, kind intentions, and a sort of delicate
reservation, he said, looking down at the floor,--

"Honored mother, and dear Fraeulein! Spare me from making such a
statement here in the convent, and consider what I have touched upon as
if it had not been said. When I look around me here--as little ought
certain words, not perhaps so inappropriate in the world outside, to be
spoken aloud in this pure air, as unsaintly pictures, to use a mild
expression, to hang by the side of the pious, transfigured forms upon
these pure walls. Permit me to say to you, I have special guaranties
that the poor young man will not conduct himself unworthily."

Manna's countenance suddenly assumed an expression of noble indignation
as she said,--

"But I cannot conceive how they can commit my brother to the charge of
a man, who--"

Pranken prayed to be excused for interrupting her. He conjured her by
what was high and holy, to forget that he, i