tage. A voice within
her seemed to say: Through this gate, and in this pathway, thou wilt
have much to experience, much to struggle with, and much to overcome.

She wanted to find out, to image to herself what would enter there, but
she succeeded no better than did Eric, as he gazed at the convent
steps, in calling up before his mind's eye the various destinies of
those who had passed in and out over that threshold.

Who would have been able to tell her that Eric had once gazed with the
same feelings!

Manna had a feeling of unrest, as if she knew that an eye was watching
her. Eric was now in fact standing at the window, and his glance rested
upon her; but he took care to keep out of her sight. His soul too was
moved, but by wholly different thoughts. While he was asleep, there was
with him the abiding feeling that now he was possessed of ample means
and was his own master; and this consciousness finally waked him. In
the earliest dawn, he had again counted over the money which Sonnenkamp
had handed him on the previous day. It was enough to support himself
and his mother. He was so unaccustomed to money, that he felt impelled
to count it several times over, and finally even to write down the
amount. Then he smiled, saying to himself:--

It's well, and I am glad to be put to the test whether I can perform my
duty in life with the same earnestness, poor or rich.

He opened the window and perceived Manna. He drew back softly, and
wondered what were the feelings and thoughts of the child, who had come
from the seclusion of the cloister into the luxurious parental home.

Sounds were now heard from the neighboring village, from all quarters,
from both shores of the river, up and down the stream.

Manna left the park and turned back to the house in order to get her
prayer-book. Fraeulein Perini was waiting for her in the hall.

Manna heard Fraeulein Perini give directions to the servants to make
ready a room for the Justice's daughter, and she had it upon her lips
to reproach herself to her former governess, for having been insincere
in permitting Lina to be invited. She dreaded her visit; the
superficial and childish character, as she had seen it the day before,
seemed something new and strange. She had resolved to gain the victory
by herself alone, and had come to the conclusion to ask Lina plainly
not to make the visit at this time; she owed it to herself to remain
alone, and to admit no distracting influence.

As