a manner that it seemed to be half her own utterance and half
a quotation.

"A Christian should always bear in mind," she began, "that much that
is high and mysterious can never in this life be comprehended by
feeble man. We should, therefore, never attempt to fathom it, but
should resign ourselves to the might and truth of God, who has
brought us into contact with it. Yes, directly our own wisdom begins
to dwell upon the possibility of that which is revealed to us, we may
be sure that temptation and Satan are at hand--the old wily serpent
who deceived Eve; and we should instantly invoke the protection of
the Almighty against death and hell itself. To this end may grace be
vouchsafed to all of us."

"Amen," said Nicolai Egeland.

"But," asked Sivert Jespersen, turning to the younger people, "how
should we receive this grace?"

"It is the work of the Holy Spirit," said a voice by the door.

"Very properly answered, little Erik. And what do you mean by the
Spirit's work?"

"Sanctification."

"And of how many parts does sanctification consist? can you give me
an answer to that also?"

"New birth, justification, and regeneration."

Everybody was pleased with the quickness of the boy, who sat without
moving a muscle of his face, his mouth open, and generally prepared
to give answers much as an instrument responds to its keys.

At this point Nicolai Egeland became ambitious, and thrust himself
into the conversation, quoting the longest text he knew--"By man sin
came into the world;" but Madame Torvestad interrupted him quietly:

"Very wonderful is the state of the regenerate man; he is the slave
neither of sin nor of worldly affections, not even indeed of innocent
things. When I say that he is not a slave, I do not assert that in a
moment of weakness he may not be overtaken by sin, but that he will
not continue in it. If surprised by the flesh or the devil, he may
fall into sin; but he will rise up and lay his troubles before God,
and seek forgiveness. So long as he is thus established again in
faith, and enjoys peace with God, he remains superior to sin, and
continues to walk in the Spirit."

Sarah watched Fennefos, for she was certain that he would not approve
of the book her mother was reading from. He made no signs, however;
and in the feeble glimmer she could see only the vigorous, clear cut
profile, somewhat turned upwards, as if gazing at the ceiling.

When it became manifest that he would not speak th