stances of the matter were these: Ottilie's exclusion from the
picture-exhibition by Luciana's jealousy had irritated him in the
highest degree; and at the same time he had observed with regret, that
at this, the most brilliant part of all the amusements at the castle,
ill health had prevented Charlotte from being more than rarely present;
and now he did not wish to go away without some additional proof of his
gratitude, which, for the honor of one and the entertainment of the
other, should take the thoughtful and attractive form of preparing a far
more beautiful exhibition than any of those which had preceded it.
Perhaps, too, unknown to himself, another secret motive was working on
him. It was so hard for him to leave the house, and to leave the family.
It seemed impossible to him to go away from Ottilie's eyes, under the
calm, sweet, gentle glance of which the latter part of the time he had
been living almost entirely alone.

The Christmas holidays were approaching; and it became at once clear to
him that the very thing which he wanted was a representation with real
figures of one of those pictures of the scene in the stable--a sacred
exhibition such as at this holy season good Christians delight to offer
to the divine Mother and her Child, of the manner in which she, in her
seeming lowliness, was honored first by the shepherds and afterward by
kings.

He had thoroughly brought before himself how such a picture should be
contrived. A fair, lovely child was found, and there would be no lack of
shepherds and shepherdesses. But without Ottilie the thing could not be
done. The young man had exalted her in his design to be the mother of
God, and if she refused, there was no question but the undertaking must
fall to the ground. Ottilie, half embarrassed at the proposal, referred
him and his request to Charlotte. The latter gladly gave her permission,
and lent her assistance in overcoming and overpersuading Ottilie's
hesitation in assuming so sacred a personality. The Architect worked day
and night, that by Christmas-eve everything might be ready.

Day and night, indeed, in the literal sense. At all times he was a man
who had but few necessities; and Ottilie's presence seemed to be to him
in the place of all delicacies. When he was working for her, it was as
if he required no sleep; when he was busy about her, as if he could do
without food. Accordingly, by the hour of the evening solemnity, all was
completed. He had foun