followed her through the peaceful courtyard, proudly pointing out
to her the fine workmanship of the fountain. Then he made her peep
through the windows of the library, which filled one side of the
building. There she saw black-robed students poring over the books.
'Melanchthon lectured there,' he said; 'Erasmus was here, and the learned
Dr. Faustus of Maulbronn came and studied here, so legend says.'

He took her up the moss-grown steps at the end of the courtyard, and out
on to the rampart. A view of infinite beauty lay before her: a vast
expanse of green fields through which the river Neckar flows gently, a
smiling valley glittering in the morning sunshine and radiant with fruit
blossom. In the middle distance were fir-clad hills, while behind them
rose blue and misty mountains. The student pointed southwards. 'Over
there is the ruined castle of Hohenzollern. If you have good eyes you can
catch the sun glinting upon one of the few remaining towers. It is the
ancient home of that strong race which rules Prussia. This Southern
Germany is the birthland of great races. Hohenstauffen is another
mountain in this range; but you cannot see it from here, it is too far.'
The student spoke dreamily, as though the changing destinies of master
races lay before him in a vision. Wilhelmine leant against the stone
balustrade and gazed at the beautiful country. She was interested in the
scholar's talk, and she waited, hoping he would continue; but as he did
not speak, she asked him whether the castle of the Hohenstauffens still
existed. He told her that not one stone remained upon another. 'Vanished
like the proud race which was called by its name, only a memory now to
the few who love the past!' he said. 'All things vanish, Fraeulein,' he
continued, 'the good, the great, the wrong, the glory, and the tears; the
wise man must carve his name on the _lives_ of those around him if he
would benefit by power. The noble deed carved on stone raised to do us
honour after death is almost mockery. Personal power during our lives,
riches, enjoyment, all that dominion over others gives----' He paused and
laughed harshly.

Wilhelmine looked at him. 'What power do you seek, Mr. Student?' she
asked curiously.

'For myself, little! I wish for a sufficiency of money to be able to
pursue my studies, that is all. I am a theologian, and shall be a pastor
in a few months' time, and the occupation with the uninteresting peasant
souls of a country paris