ty souls. But I'm more and more convinced that words are no
keys to heaven, that true theology doesn't consist in arguments about
dogmas. Even the profound revelations of the mystic--"

"Have you ventured into these abysses?" exclaimed Edwin.

"With a competent guide," smiled the beautiful woman, gracefully waving
her fan to and fro, "with a carefully tested safety lamp as a
protection--why not? It is so interesting, the secret terror which
seizes us when we see in the dim light of these deep ravines and caves,
as in an artificial mine, strange stalactites and the glimmer of metal
and have a suspicion of the treasures that may yet be concealed. One
returns to the bright daylight so willingly. You must not think me a
hypocrite. On the contrary, since I've gazed into the depths, I look at
all worldly pleasures with more grateful eyes as a gift of our Creator,
and rejoice that I can still be so childish, much more childish and
even more thoughtless than my dear friend here, who is ten weeks
younger than I, and has confessed that she neither prays nor holds any
intercourse with her God. Isn't it true, Toinette, am I unfit to be a
Moravian?"

"Who knows, dear Alexine?" replied Toinette, who during all this time
seemed to have only half listened to Gaston's eager whispers. "By way
of a change, in order to experience this emotion also, and if the right
spiritual guide should appear with a _differently_ constructed safety
lamp--"

"Horrible!" exclaimed the little blonde beauty, giving her neighbor a
light tap with her fan. "Don't believe a word of it, Herr Doctor. The
countess only slanders me so maliciously, because she has taken a
perfectly causeless prejudice against the vicar who accompanies me, and
who certainly has had a great deal to do with the present direction of
my mind. You'll make his acquaintance, and shall then decide whether he
deserves this aversion."

"To be made umpire on such a critical subject, whereby I must in any
case forfeit the favor of one of two noble ladies--"

"Is a martyrdom in the service of truth, which a philosopher cannot
escape. The vicar has a few letters to write; he is, even in worldly
things, my--our trusted counsellor. But I hope, in the course of the
evening--"

At this moment the folding doors of the dining hall were thrown open,
the butler in full gala dress appeared on the threshold with a silent
bow, the master of the house offered his arm to the princess, the
prince to his