the ripples of the canal which splashed up against
the marble steps in Venice. He understood moreover the gracious art of
listening respectfully to the old man, and when Lydia perceived, what a
high opinion her father had of Paul, she soon came under the spell of
his appearance more helplessly than ever. Her hopes returned. Even
should the good Abbess be in the right and he had been a zealous
papist, why should he not shake off the secret bonds and as a free man
ask her hand of her father, who would never refuse it! Was she less
worthy than others, that a man should perpetrate this sacrifice for
her. As day after day Paul sought her company in the presence of her
father, and paid his silent homage, she began once more to believe in
the sincerity of his wooing. That Love which believes all, and hopes
all, told her, that he had cast away the old Faith for her sake, and
with a ready confidence did she give herself up to this new belief. One
evening he had again joined them, and whilst her father entered into
his patient's house, Lydia found herself once more alone with the
Magister, He immediately took her hand and said: "Lydia, have you
forgiven me?" And the same sensation came over her that she ever had
when near him, a tightening of the heart, a numbness of the will, and
an undefined fear of being forced to do what he wished, against her own
will, a blissful torture. He wound his arm around her waist, and kissed
and kissed her over and over again. No explanation, no requests, no
words, only kisses, burning kisses. And she stood there tremblingly
resistless. But her heart did not feel the same happiness, that it had
felt the first time she leant on his breast. Then like an angel of God
had he gently drawn her to him, today he seized her as if committing a
sin, his eyes rolled about restlessly to see whether they were alone,
and hearing Erastus approaching, quickly did he hasten towards a field,
where he pulled up a few plants and placing their blossoms within the
lining of his hat, cleverly engaged the physician even from afar in a
conversation about his patient, before that he could come up to where
the excited child stood. Lydia soon came back to her senses. Her maiden
pride revolted against such a treatment. His kisses burnt like spots
upon her glowing cheeks, and as they passed a farm, where a clear cold
water poured from two pipes, she felt as if she wished to enter, and
wash away the impure taint. Ashamed and sad sh