s been impossible for me to visit him yet," said Frantz, "for my
journey detained me too long: an accident brings me to this village,
where, indeed, I did not suppose you to be, the royalists, who in large
bands keep the mountains in a state of siege, obliged me to turn away
from the high road. But now, my dear master, no one can pass over the
frontiers, the watches and precautions have been redoubled; every one
in the country is already suspected, how much more so should he desire
to quit it, even the passports from government are no longer
respected."

It was agreed upon, that Franz should go to St. Hippolite to Vila, and
return after some time with news, but never, as had been determined at
an earlier period between the friends, to bring letter, or papers. When
the Counsellor returned to his dwelling with his child, the latter
said, "I should never in my life have thought Hector so stupid; he did
not pay the slightest attention, I might have made signs to him as long
as I liked, and yet he can hunt and perform other feats of skill, which
I should never have been able to learn; but whenever indeed I have
wished to tell him about the slightest fun, or when my brother was gone
out and that he would soon return, he has never understood me. If it is
only not the case with us human beings also. Perhaps we run thus along
just like little dogs by the side of angels, who insinuate much to us,
yet whose language and real meaning we can never comprehend."

"At least," said the father, "man should not dive too deeply into that,
nor with daring enthusiasm desire to confine to himself that which is
denied him by his Creator. But you cannot, however, understand that
yet, my little girl."

"It must be glorious," answered the little one, "to understand all the
thoughts which are permitted to us by God. All that he does grant to us
by degrees, if we are pious and kind! What I have always with delight
seen you do, when for whole hours you used to sit at your great books,
of which I did not understand a single word, and you so often lifted up
your eyes joyfully, and continued to reflect; you cannot think how well
it looks, and what a beautiful sight it is to behold a sensible man
engaged in deep meditation."

They had returned to their friendly home, and Martin with the others
were waiting for them. "It is really abominable," began dame Barbara,
"that the Camelsarts have become so impious, that this year no
processions can go to the