it is that dreadful man,
Johann Herder, our grandfather's great enemy! His coming bodes us no
good."

They consulted whether they should bolt the door, but Meta advised that
they should show no alarm; and as Herder could easily break open the
door, it would be useless to try and keep him out.

In another minute Herder entered the cottage. He cast a frowning glance
around him. "Where is your grandfather?" he asked.

"I am afraid, sir, he is in prison," answered Meta.

"Why is he there?" he asked again.

"Karl says, because he was listening to a preacher of the gospel,"
answered Meta.

"He was assisting in creating a disturbance rather," observed Herder.

"I am sure grandfather is not the man to do that," exclaimed Karl. "I
was with him, and he was as quiet as any man could be."

"Then you ought to have been taken prisoner too," exclaimed the farmer.
"I must see to that. And what book is that you have by your side,
maiden?" he asked, glancing at Meta's Bible, which she was prepared to
read.

"God's word, sir," said Meta, firmly. "We always read it before sitting
down to meals. It is by reading it that we learn of salvation. This
book says, `Faith cometh by hearing,' or reading God's word, and by
faith we are saved."

"Those are strange doctrines you are speaking," said the rough man, yet
feeling, perhaps, more than he was willing to acknowledge, the force of
her words, and greatly struck by her calmness and bravery.

"They cannot be new, sir," answered Meta, "for they were written by the
apostles themselves, nor are they strange, for the same reason."

"I came not to discuss such matters," said Herder, turning away. "My
reason for coming here was to tell your grandfather that he must move
out of this cottage, as I have bought it. As he is not here, I give you
the notice, and let me tell you that the opinions you utter are very
dangerous. They are not such as to please the priests or bishop; take
care, therefore, what you are about." Without further words, Herder
turned round, unwilling it seemed to look any longer on the young girl
and her brother who had so boldly confronted him. Leaving the cottage,
he mounted his horse and rode off.

The young people could not help being alarmed. It would be a sad thing
to have to leave their old home, and for their grandfather, when he got
out of prison, to be obliged to seek for a new one. His other threats
also boded them no good. They had, however, s