declare as her mother that we will lay no compulsion upon her; I
grant her this condition."

Sonnenkamp started up and clutched the back of a chair; there was a
violent struggle within him, but suddenly he said, in a most gentle
tone,--

"Roland, go now to Herr von Pranken."

Roland was forced to leave the convent, his heart beating fast. There
was his sister in a room above; what was to happen to her? Why could he
not go to her, embrace and kiss her, and play with her long dark hair
as he used to do? He went out of doors, but not to Pranken; he entered
the open church, and there he knelt and prayed with deep fervor. He
could not have said for what he prayed, but he asked for peace and
beauty, and suddenly, as he looked up, he started back; there was the
great picture of St. Anthony of Padua, and, wonderful to say, this
picture resembled Eric,--the noble, beautiful face was Eric's.

The boy gazed long at it; at last he laid his head on his hands,
and--blessed power of youth!--he fell asleep.

CHAPTER V.

SECRET, SILENT LOVE.

The parents entered Manna's cell. Manna calmly met them, and said,--

"Welcome, and may God's blessing be with you!" She extended her hand to
her father; her hand thrilled as she felt the ring on her father's
thumb. Then she threw herself upon her mother's breast and kissed her.

"Forgive me," she cried, "forgive me! Do not think me heartless; I must
do so--no, I will to do so. I thank you, that you have granted my
request."

"Yes, indeed, we put no constraint upon you," said the mother; and
Sonnenkamp, who had not yet assented, was obliged to comply with her
wishes.

Manna's countenance became suddenly lighted up; she said that she was
glad to see her parents looking so well, and that she prayed for them
daily, and that heaven would hearken to her prayer. Manna had a tone of
voice in which one seemed to feel the repressed tears; this voice
appeared to affect Sonnenkamp, so that he placed his hand upon his
heart, and his posture and look were as if he were making a silent vow.

When Manna asked after Roland, he said, with the mien of one speaking
to a person who has been ill and is just convalescent, that Roland was
in the park, and Manna must go with them, and greet the ladies and Herr
von Pranken.

When her father mentioned this name, a slight shudder went over Manna,
but she said with immediate composure,--

"I wi