tating the example of the person venerated. Without this
spirit, saint-worship is an idle ceremony. But that true veneration of
the saints elevates and ennobles, you cannot deny. Let us take the
queen of saints, Mary. What makes her worthy of veneration? Her
obedience to the Most High, her humility, her strength of soul, her
chastity. All these virtues shine out before the spiritual eyes of her
worshippers as models and patterns of life. I know a lady, very
beautiful, very wealthy; but she is also very humble, very pure, for
she is a true worshipper of Mary. Would that our women would venerate
Mary and choose her for a model! There would then be no coquettes, no
immodest women, no enlightened viragoes. Now, as saint-worship is but
taking the virtues of the saints as models for imitation, you must
admit that veneration in this sense has the happiest consequences to
human society."

"I admit it--to my great astonishment, I must admit it," said Richard.

"Let us take a near example," continued Klingenberg. "I told you of the
singular qualities of Angela. As she passed, I beheld her with wonder.
I must confess her beauty astonished me. But this astonishing beauty,
it appears to me, is less in her charming features than in the purity,
the maidenly dignity of her character. Perhaps she has to thank, for
her excellence, that same correct taste which leads her to venerate
Mary. Would not Angela make an amiable, modest, dutiful wife and
devoted mother? Can you expect to find this wife, this mother among
those given to fashions--among women filled with modern notions?"

While Klingenberg said this, a deep emotion passed over Richard's face.
He did not answer the question, but let his head sink on his breast.

"Here is Frankenhoehe," said the doctor. "As you make no more
objections, I suppose you agree with me. The saints are great,
admirable men; therefore they deserve monuments. They are models of
virtue and the greatest benefactors of mankind; therefore they deserve
honor. '_Quod erat demonstrandum._'"

"I only wonder, doctor, that you, a Protestant, can defend such views."

"You will allow Protestants to judge reasonably," replied Klingenberg.
"My views are the result of careful study and impartial reflection."

"I am also astonished--pardon my candor--that with such views you can
remain a Protestant."

"There is a great difference between knowing and willing, my young
friend. I consider conversion an act of great hero