as unnecessary; it would have been venturing too much
without any adequate cause. She stood now upon the window-sill--Otto put
a little money into her hand.

"The Lord is above us!" said he, in a solemn voice. "Never forget Him
and endeavor to amend your life! All may yet be well!" He involuntarily
pressed her hand in his. "Have God always in your thoughts!" said he.

"I shall get safely away, however," said she, and descended into the
garden; she nodded, and vanished behind the hedge.

Otto stood for a while and listened whether any noise was heard, or
whether any dog barked. He feared for her safety. All was still.

Just as sometimes an old melody will suddenly awake in our remembrance
and sound in our ear, so awoke now a holy text to his thoughts. "Lord,
if I should take the wings of the morning, and should fly to the
uttermost parts of the sea, thither thou wouldst lead me, and thy right
hand would hold me fast! Thou art near to us! Thou canst accomplish and
thou willest our well-being! Thou alone canst help us!"

In silence he breathed his prayer.

He returned to his chamber more composed in mind. Wilhelm seemed to
sleep; but as Otto approached his bed he suddenly raised himself, and
looked, inquiringly, around him.

"Who is there?" exclaimed he; "you are dressed! where have you been?" He
was urgent in his inquiry.

Otto gave a joking reason.

"Let me have your hand!" said he. Otto gave it to him, he felt his pulse.

"Yes, quite correct!" said he; "the blood is yet in commotion. One sees
plain enough that there is no concealing things! Here was I sleeping in
all innocence, and you were running after adventures. You wicked bird!"

The thoughts worked rapidly in Otto's soul. If Louise would only be
silent, no one would dream of the possibility of his having part in
Sidsel's flight. He must allow Wilhelm quietly to have his joke.

"Was not I right?" asked Wilhelm.

"And if now you were so," replied Otto, "will you tell it to any one?"

"Do you think that I could do such a thing?" replied Wilhelm; "we are
all of us only mortal creatures!"

Otto gave him his hand. "Be silent!" he said.

"Yes, certainly," said Wilhelm; and, according to his custom,
strengthened it with an oath. "Now I have sworn it," said he; "but when
there is an opportunity you must tell me more about it!"

"Yes, certainly," said Otto, with a deep sigh. Before his friend he no
longer stood pure and guiltless.

They slept. Otto's sl