elf, and that you
can do to-day, to me, by my help."

"Madam, I went to confession to-day, to the priest, at church."

"Very well. I don't mix myself in church affairs; but I see in your
eyes, I see in your heart, that you have a feeling like one who strives
to hide a secret sorrow, and thinks that it is not seen. You do not
feel yourself free, and clear, and at ease."

The veins in Landolin's forehead swelled in anger, but the lady looked
steadily into his face as though he were a wild animal that could be
tamed by a firm, unwavering look. His eyelids rose and fell quickly,
his tightly compressed lips quivered, and his hand that lay on the
table clenched nervously.

"I know what you want to say," said the lady, quickly; "you have a
right to do so: only say right out that I must leave your house; that I
had no right to force myself into your home, or into your heart. Only
say it, and I will go."

"No, stay. You are a brave woman, I must say. I should not have thought
it possible, never,--a woman! Speak without fear. From such a woman as
you I will hear anything. I think there can be but one such as you in
the world."

The lady blushed, and for hardly longer than a thought takes the
flattery disconcerted her, and seemed to turn her from her course.

Landolin perceived this momentary confusion, and smiled triumphantly.
"After all, she's only a woman, and, like every woman, can be bought
with dress and praise!"

Controlling herself quickly, the lady resumed, with a tone that came
from her inmost soul:

"Landolin, men are put in the world together that one may help
another----"

"I see nothing of it. Nobody troubles himself about his neighbors,"
interrupted Landolin.

Did you ever do otherwise yourself? Did you formerly concern yourself
about others? the lady wanted to say; but she was quick-witted enough
to suppress that, and replied instead:

"You have a right to be bitter against the world."

Landolin looked at her in astonishment. He felt something of that mild
art of healing which does not try to soften sorrow by denying it and
covering it over, but by recognizing it in its reality and importance.

"Thank you," said Landolin, "but I have taken advantage of that right.
The world is nothing to me, and I am nothing to the world."

"May I ask a question?"

"Why not?"

"Then tell me if the misfortune, or accident, in this poor fellow's
case had happened, not to you, but to Titus, to the Oberbauer, or