of
affection round the head of Seraphin. At evening prayer when her father
said, "Let us pray for our benefactor Seraphin," her soul sent up a
fervent petition to God, and she declared with joy that she was willing
to sacrifice all for him. But behold this noble object of her
admiration and affection suddenly presented before her in a state that
excited the greatest uneasiness. With his head sunk and his eyes
directed straight before him, he would have rushed past without
noticing the sympathizing girl, when a greeting clear and sweet as the
tone of a bell caused him to look up. He beheld Mechtild with her
beautiful eyes fixed upon him in an expression of anxiety.

"Good-morning, Mr. Seraphin," she said again.

"Good-morning," he returned mechanically, and staring about vaguely.
His bewilderment soon passed, however, and his gaze was riveted by the
apparition.

She was standing on the other side of the ditch. The fear of some
unknown calamity had given to her beautiful face an expression of
tender solicitude, and whilst a smile struggled for possession of her
lips her look indicated painful anxiety. Mechtild's appearance soon
directed the young man's attention to his own excited manner. The dark
shadow disappeared from his brow, he wiped the perspiration from his
face, and began to feel the effect of his walk under the glowing heat
of midsummer.

"Ah! here is the neat little white house, your pretty country home,
Mechtild," he said pleasantly. "If you had not been so kind as to wish
me good-morning, I should actually have passed by in an unpardonable
fit of distraction."

"I was almost afraid to say good-morning, Mr. Seraphin, but--" She
faltered and looked confused.

"But--what? You didn't think anything was wrong?"

"No! But you were in such a hurry and looked so troubled, I got
frightened," she confessed with amiable uprightness. "I was afraid
something had happened you."

"I am thankful for your sympathy. Nothing has happened me, nor, I
trust, will," he replied, with a scarcely perceptible degree of
defiance in his tone. "This is a charming situation. Corn-fields on all
sides, trees laden with fruit, the skirt of the woods in the
background--and then this magnificent view! With your permission, I
will take a moment's rest in the shade of yon splendid walnut-tree
planted by your great-grandfather."

She joyfully nodded assent and stepped over the ditch. She shoved back
the bolt of the gate. Together they