e fixed, and his lips uttered not a sound. This
lasted for weeks, and suddenly he became excited, enraged, and they were
obliged to bind him to keep him from injuring himself."

"Tell me no more," cried Marie, shuddering. "I thought myself stronger,
nay, heartless, and yet it seems as if a hand of iron were tearing,
rending my soul!"

"That is well," said Trude, gently; "you must awaken from this hardened
indifference; giving way to your grief in tears will soften your heart,
and it will again be penetrated with the love of God and mankind. I will
tell you every thing; you ought to know how poor, dear Moritz suffered.
After he vented his rage he became melancholy, and withdrew to Halle in
solitude, living in a hay-loft. His favorite books and an old piano
were his only companions; no one presumed to intrude him, and they even
conveyed his food secretly to him, shoving it through a door. He talked
aloud to himself for hours long, and at night sang so touchingly,
accompanying himself upon the piano, that those who listened wept."

Marie wept also--scalding tears trickled through her fingers as she lay
upon the floor.

Trude continued: "Moritz lived in this way one year; his friends knew
how he was suffering, and they proved in their deeds how much they loved
and esteemed him. The teachers at the Gymnasium divided his hours of
instruction among them, that he should not forfeit his place and lose
his salary. Even the king showed great sympathy for him, sending to
inquire for him. Herr Gedicke visited him frequently at Halle; and once
when about to mount the ladder to the hay-loft he met Moritz descending,
carefully dressed, in a reasonable, gentle mood, and then he returned
with him to Berlin. There was great rejoicing in the college over his
return, and they feted him, witnessing so much love for him that it was
really touching. He has been promoted to professor, and at the express
command of the king he teaches the young Prince Frederick William in
Latin and Greek. Oh, he is so much esteemed and--"

"And is married I hope," murmured Marie. "Is he not happily married,
Trude?"

"No. Herr Gedicke says he could marry a wealthy girl, for he is a great
favorite, and is invited into the most distinguished society. He repels
every one, and has become a woman-hater."

"He hates them--does that mean that he hates me?"

"Yes, he thoroughly scorns and despises you; so much so that Herr
Gedicke says you should know of it, and