ion festival. It is six years since
we started here, but we only built our church last year: this year
we have the first celebration in the edifice, and of course there is
great preparation."

"I have been wondering how I could go away before it takes place ever
since I heard of it."

"If you wonder less how you can stay, remain of course," said Spener
with no great cordiality: he owed this stranger nothing, after all.

"It will only be to prove that I am really music-mad, as they have
been telling me ever since I was born. If that is the case, from the
evidences I have had since I came here I think I shall recover."

"What do you mean?" asked Spener.

"I mean that I see how little I really know about the science. I
never heard anything to equal the musical knowledge and execution of
Loretz's daughter and this Sister Benigna you speak of."

"Ah! I am not a musician. I tried the trombone, but lacked the
patience. I am satisfied to admire. And so you liked the singers?
Which best?"

"Both."

"Come, come--what was the difference?"

"The difference?" repeated Leonhard reflecting.

Spener also seemed to reflect on his question, and was so absorbed
in his thinking that he seemed to be startled when Leonhard, from his
studies of the square house with the wide halls and the large rooms
with high ceilings, turned to him and said, "The difference, sir, is
between two women."

"No difference at all, do you mean? Do you mean they are alike? They
are not alike."

"Not so alike that I have seen anything like either of them."

"Ah! neither have I. For that reason I shall marry one of them, while
the other I would not marry--no, not if she were the only woman on the
continent."

"You are a fortunate man," said Leonhard.

"I intend to prove that. Nothing more is necessary than the girl's
consent--is there?--if you have made up your mind that you must have
her."

"I should think you might say that, sir."

"But you don't hazard an opinion as to which, sir."

"Not I."

"Why not?"

"It might be Miss Elise, if--"

"If what?"

"I am not accustomed to see young ladies in their homes. I have only
fancied sometimes what a pretty girl might be in her father's house."

"Well, sir?" said Spener impatiently.

"A young lady like Miss Elise would have a great deal to say, I should
suppose."

"Is she dumb? I thought she could talk. I should have said so."

"I should have guessed, too, that she would always be singin