would leave it in all
kindness and friendly feeling. It seemed to him the right course that
Manna should return for a short time, to take leave of her companions
and the holy sisterhood quietly and considerately. He repeated, that
though he desired nothing more earnestly than to have Manna return to
the outer world as soon as possible, and as fully as possible, still he
considered it the duty of a friend to save from remorse and inward
disquiet one to whom he stood in any near relation. There was more than
excellence, there was a real nobility, in Pranken's manner as he said
all this, and various were the looks and thoughts of the three who were
watching him.

Sonnenkamp was angry, and yet he said to himself: "After all,
aristocratic blood knows what's the proper thing."

The Professorin believed that Pranken meant to win Manna anew by these
noble sentiments; Manna herself was quite subdued.

"You are right," she exclaimed, as she extended her hand and held
Pranken's firmly. "You show me what is right. I thank you, and will
follow your advice."

Sonnenkamp was beside himself as he saw his dearest wish again
disappointed; but still greater was his astonishment, when the
Professorin expressed her acquiescence.

After Manna had begged Pranken to avoid any meeting with her until she
returned home, they all walked down to the shore, and the two ladies
returned to the island.

Heimchen, who had wept constantly, had already been put to bed, and was
still mourning that Manna had gone. Manna went to her and found her
crying, and her pillow wet with tears; she dried her eyes and talked to
her till she went to sleep; and while pacifying her, and promising all
sorts of good things, she became calmer herself.

CHAPTER V.

NIGHT AND MORNING AT THE CONVENT.

Until it was quite late, Manna walked up and down the broad pathway on
the island, holding the Superior and the Professorin by the hand. It
seemed to her, that two loving potencies, each of which had its own
valid claim, were contending to get possession of her.

It would be difficult to say how they came upon the topic, but the two
ladies were discussing the subject of dogmatic belief. The Professorin
maintained that salvability consisted in a willingness to perceive and
acknowledge a wrong impulse, an error, or a transgression. The Superior
agreed with this, but showed that one was always liable to return to a