uses are among
those the duke has caused to be demolished for the purpose of opening a
better view for his palace. Nothing has yet been said respecting
indemnification. I therefore wish you, while on the spot, to obtain all
the information you can upon the subject.'

'I am very willingly at your service,' modestly answered Dorn. 'When
shall I set out?'

'Did I not fear the sin of keeping you from church on christmas night,'
said Fessel, 'I would beg of you to start this very evening. Sagan is
distant, and old Engelmann is a very worthy man, whose release from
prison I should be glad to effect as soon as possible.'

'The performance of duty is God's service!' cried Dorn. 'I will go
immediately and prepare for the journey.' He left the room, followed by
the boys, who lamented the loss of their best christmas enjoyment in
his departure.

'Your book-keeper is indeed no papist,' said the parson to Katharine
after a long pause; 'but there may also be some doubt of his
Lutheranism; for he appears to sustain the doctrine of good works. He
may be tinctured with Calvinism.

'If he were, he would still be our protestant co-laborer and brother in
Christ,' answered Fessel in the name of his consort, who was busily
reading.

'Calvin, Zuinglius, and the pope--all are heretics alike!' grumbled the
parson.

The weeping Katharine now folded the letter, handed it to her husband,
and in a soft, submissive voice asked him: 'What have you decided upon,
Tobias?'

'I wished to advise with you upon the matter first, my Kitty,' he
answered, in a friendly manner. 'They are your nearest relatives who
now seek a refuge with us, and I would not willingly leave them in the
claws of those fiends; but at all events their coming would increase
your domestic cares, and I know not whether you would like to have your
mother and sister reside in the family.'

'As I know my beloved ones,' she joyfully answered, 'I have only
relief, consolation and joy, to expect from them; and, if my opinion is
to decide the matter, I beg you with all my heart to have them brought
here.'

Dorn now entered the room in his traveling dress, with his rusty sword
by his side. He was followed by Martin and Ulrich, and the young
Engelmann with his traveling bag in his hand, much grieved at being
compelled to leave his dear Schweidnitz for a strange school where he
was unknowing and unknown.

'The carriage is ready,' said the book-keeper. 'I come to take my
leave, a