n of man's proximity to heaven. Petrea's soul was an uneven
ground, as is the case with most people; but there existed in her
nature, as we have before seen, a most determined desire to ascend
upwards; and at this time, in which she found her affections too much
bound to earthly things, she strove earnestly to ascend up to one of
those heights where every limited attraction vanishes before more
extended views, and where every fettered affection will become free, and
will revive in what is loftier. The attempt succeeded--succeeded by
making her feel that whatever was most valuable in this life was
intimately connected with that life which only first begins when this
ends. Her lively imagination called forth, one after another, a great
variety of scenes of misfortune and death; and she felt that in the
moment before she resigned life, her heart would be able to raise itself
with the words, "God be praised in all eternity."

With this feeling, and convinced by it that her present undertaking was
good and necessary, whatever its consequences might be, Petrea's heart
became light and free. She turned herself with lively words and looks to
her travelling companion, and drew him by degrees into a conversation
which was so interesting to them both, that they forgot weather and
ways, forebodings, evil omens, and preparations for death. The journey
prospered as well as any autumn journey could prosper. Not a trace of
danger met them by the way. The wind slumbered in the woods; and in the
public-houses they only heard one and another sleepy peasant open his
mouth with a "devil take me!"

In the forenoon of the following day our travellers arrived happily at
U. Petrea scarcely allowed herself time to take any refreshments before
she commenced her inquiries. The result of all her and the Assessor's
labours we give shortly thus:

It soon became beyond a doubt to them that Sara, together with a little
daughter, had been in the city, and had resided in the very inn in which
Petrea and the Assessor now were, although they travelled under a
foreign name. She was described as being in the highest degree weak and
sickly; and, as might be expected in her circumstances, it appeared that
she had besought the host to sell some books for her, which he had done.
One of these books it was which, with its forgotten mark, had fallen
into the hands of Petrea. Sara, on account of her debility, had been
compelled to remain several days in that place