peachable orthodoxy? He had not
uttered a word condemning Louise's infatuation about Renan. On taking
leave he had parted with her in a friendly, almost hearty, manner,
proof sufficient that the young lady's doubtful utterances at tea had
not deceived him.

Upon reaching home, Gerlach sat in his room with his eyes thoughtfully
fixed upon a luminous square cast by the sun upon the floor. Quite
naturally his thoughts ran upon the marriage, and to the prospect of
having to maintain his liberty by hard contest with his inflexible
parent. He was unshaken in his resolution not to accede to the
projected alliance, and, when a will morally severe conceives
resolutions of this sort, they usually stand the hardest tests. So
absorbing were his reflections that he did not hear John announcing a
visitor. He nodded mechanically in reply to the words that seemed to
come out of the distance, and the servant disappeared.

Soon after a country girl appeared entrance of the room. In both hands
she was carrying a small basket made of peeled willows, quite new. A
snow-white napkin was spread over the basket. The girl's dress was
neat, her figure was slender and graceful. Her hair, which was wound
about the head in heavy plaits, was golden and encircled her forehead
as with a _nimbus_. Her features were delicate and beautiful, and she
looked upon the young gentleman with a pair of deep-blue eyes. Thus
stood she for an instant in the door of the apartment. There was a
smile about her mouth and a faint flush upon her cheeks.

"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin!" said a sweet voice.

The youth started at this salutation and looked at the stranger with
surprise. She was just then standing on the sunlit square, her hair
gleamed like the purest gold, and a flood of light streamed upon her
youthful form. He did not return the greeting. He looked at her as if
frightened, rose slowly, and bowed in silence.

"My father sends some early grapes which he begs you to have the
goodness to accept."

She drew nearer, and he received the basket from her hand.

"I am very thankful!" said he. And, raising the napkin, the delicious
fruit smiled in his face. "These are a rarity this season. To whom am I
indebted for this friendly attention?"

"The obligation is all on our side, Mr. Seraphin," she replied
trustfully to the generous benefactor of her family. "Father is sorry
that he cannot offer you something better."

"Ah! you are Holt's daughter?"

"Yes, Mr