ld risk life to
rescue a stranger from the horns of a ferocious steer without
hesitation, and not desire an acknowledgment of the heroic deed? How
great is Angela, how admirable in every act! I was unthankful; yes, in
the highest degree unthankful. But I placed myself willingly in this
odious light, in order to see Angela in full splendor. As I said," he
concluded quietly, "I must soon confess myself besieged--vanquished on
the whole line of observation."

"And what then?" said the professor.

"Then I am convinced," said Richard, "that female worth exists, shining
and brilliant, and that in the camp of the ultramontanes."

"A shaming experience for us," replied the professor. "You make your
studies practical, you destroy all the results of learned investigation
by living facts. To be just, it must be admitted that a woman like what
you have described Angela to be only grows and ripens on the ground of
religious influences and convictions."

"And did you observe," said Richard, "how modestly she veiled the
splendor of her brave action? She denied that there was any danger in
the presence of the steer, although it is well known that those beasts
in moments of rage forget all friendship. Angela must certainly have
felt this as she went to meet the horns of the infuriated animal to
rescue me."

Frank visited daily, and sometimes twice a day, the Siegwart family; he
was always received with welcome, and might be considered an intimate
friend. The family spirit unfolded itself clearer and clearer to his
view. He found that every thing in that house was pervaded by a
religious influence, and this without any design or haughty piety. The
assessor was destined to receive a striking proof of this.

One afternoon a coach rolled into the court-yard. The family were at
tea. The Assessor von Hamm entered, dressed entirely in black; even the
red ribbon was wanting in the button-hole.

"I have learned with grief of the misfortune that has overtaken you,"
said he after a very formal reception. "I obey the impulse of my heart
when I express my sincere sympathy in the great affliction you have
suffered in the death of the dear little Eliza."

The tears came into the eyes of Madame Siegwart. Angela looked straight
before her, as if to avoid the glance of the assessor.

"We thank you, Herr von Hamm," returned the proprietor. "We were
severely tried, but we are reasonable enough to know that our family
cannot be exempted from the