t of you, I command you,
to attempt to change this false coin into true metal. Try it, it is
your duty; and if you succeed, you are greater than I thought, and if
you fail, you are cured for ever. The ways of Providence are wise,
which have brought this man to you, and planted the thought of his
conversion in your heart; you are bound, for the sake of his salvation
and your own, to make the attempt and to persevere in it. Look out of
doors! it is springtime, everything seems thriving and blooming in
security; but the day will come when the tempest will burst forth,
rending the branches and tearing up the roots, and so it must be. What
is planted in you must be tried by the storm of temptation, with all
its fine and cunning wiles; it must be tossed hither and, thither till
it is all but uprooted--not till then will you be strong."

Again the Priest strode up and down with heavy steps. Manna knew not
what to say, nor how she was to leave this room, and go back again into
the sight of men who were to be to her as shadows, as forms assumed by
the tempter.

The Priest turned towards her, and said gently,--

"Now go, go, my daughter. And God be with thee."

He gave her his blessing, and Manna went. With a conflict in her heart,
straining her powers to look at life as a spectacle, as a temptation
which she must not avoid, she devoted herself to those around her, and
no one suspected why she was so cheerful and ready to be induced to
take part in every kind of merriment.

CHAPTER VI.

ANOTHER SPIRE BUILT.

The Mother was the only one who suspected that any change was going on
in Eric; he became peculiarly reserved, even shy. Instead of his former
communicativeness, he was now very careful of what he said, especially
in Manna's presence, as if he felt himself near one whose serenity must
not be troubled.

But this change in Eric's demeanor soon attracted the notice of another
observer who kept a keener watch. Bella came to call upon her future
sister-in-law. She was very confidential towards Manna; she had the
habit of putting her arm round the waist of girls whom she liked, and
towards whom she desired to be gracious, and promenading with them in
this affectionate way; but whenever she attempted this with Manna, the
latter always made a movement as if she would shake her off, and
finally told her, in so many words, that she disliked it. Bella smiled,
but