eplied Siegwart earnestly. "What kind of a God, what kind of a
Father would he be who would let every thing go as it might? He would
be less a father than the poorest laborer who supports his family in
the sweat of his brow."

"And the whole army of misfortunes that daily overtake the human
family? Does this army await the command of God?"

"Do not forget, Herr Assessor, that the most of these misfortunes are
deserved; brought on by our sins and passions. If excesses would cease,
how many sources of nameless calamities would disappear! For the rest,
it is my firm conviction that nothing happens or can happen in the
whole universe without the express will of God, or at least by his
permission."

The official shook his head.

"This question is evidently of great importance to every man," said
Frank. "Man is often not master of the course of his life; for it is
developed by a chain of circumstances, accidents, and providential
interferences that are not in man's power. I understand very well that
to be subject to blind chance, to an irrevocable fate, is something
disquieting and discouraging to man. Equally consoling, on the other
hand, is the Christian faith in the loving care of an all-powerful
Father, without whose permission a hair of our head cannot be touched.
But things of such great injustice, of such irresistible power, and of
such painful consequences happen on earth, that I cannot reconcile them
with divine love."

While Frank spoke, Angela's eyes rested on him with the greatest
attention; and when he concluded, she lowered her glance, and an
earnest, thoughtful expression passed over her countenance.

"There are accidents that apparently are not the result of man's
fault," said Siegwart. "Torrents sweep over the land and destroy all
the fruit of man's industry. Perhaps these torrents are only the
scourges which the justice of God waves over a lawless land. But I
admit that among the victims there are many good men. Storms wreck
ships at sea, and many human lives are lost. Avalanches plunge from the
Alps and bury whole towns in their resistless fall. It is such
accidents as these you have in view."

"Precisely--exactly so. How will you reconcile all these with the
fatherly goodness of God?" cried Hamm triumphantly.

The proprietor smiled.

"Permit me to ask a question, Herr Assessor. Why does the state make
laws?"

"To preserve order."

"I anticipated this natural reply," continued the proprietor.