d the counting-room, he found his son busy at
work. He stood up and greeted his father.

"I have observed, Richard," he began after a time, "that you go out
early every morning. What does it mean?"

"I have imposed upon myself the obligation of hearing mass every
morning."

"How did you come to take that singular obligation upon yourself?"

"From the conviction that religion is no empty idea, but a power that
can give peace and consolation in all conditions of life."

"It is evident that you have breathed ultramontane air. This
churchgoing is not forbidden--but no trifling or fanatical nonsense."

"It is my constant care, father, to give you no cause of uneasiness."

"I am rejoiced at this, my son; but I must observe that a certain
gloomy, reserved manner of yours disturbs me. Your conduct is
exemplary, your industry praiseworthy, your habits regular; but you
keep yourself too much shut up; you do not give evening parties any
more. You do not visit the concert-hall or theatre. This is wrong; we
should enjoy life, and not move about like dreamers."

"I have no taste for amusements," answered Richard. "However, if you
think a change would be good, I beg you to permit me to take a run out
to Frankenhoehe for a couple of days."

"And why to Frankenhoehe? I do not know any amusement there for you."

"I have planted a small vineyard, as you know, and I would like to see
how the Burgundies thrive."

Herr Frank was not in a hurry to give the permission. He thought and
drummed.

"You can go," he said resignedly. "I hope the mountain air will cheer
you up."

Herr Siegwart had remarked the same symptoms in his daughter that Herr
Frank had in his son; but Angela did not give way to discontent. She
was always the same obedient daughter. The poor and sick of Salingen
could not complain of neglect. But she was frequently absent-minded,
gave wrong answers to questions, and sought solitude. If Frank was
mentioned, she revived; the least circumstance connected with him was
interesting to her. Her sharp-sighted father soon discovered the inmost
thoughts and feelings of his daughter. He thought of Herr Frank's
ill-humor toward him, and was disposed to regret the hour that Richard
entered his house.

The Burgundies at Frankenhoehe were scarcely looked at. The young man
hastened to Salingen. He found the landscape changed in a few weeks.
The fields had clothed themselves in yellow. The wheat-stalks bent
gracefully under