But now that he knew what she asked of him, it returned as a matter of course to its old place and, with a sigh of relief, he felt that he need not be ashamed of the emotions which this wonderful young creature had awakened in his soul.

She had opened her pious heart like a trusting sister to an older brother, and what he had seen there was something unusual--things which had appeared sacred to him even when a child.

Since he took leave of her in the ball-room he had felt as though Heaven had loaned this, its darling, to earth for but a brief space, and her brocade robe must conceal angel wings.

Should it surprise him that the pure innocence which filled her whole being was expressed also in her letter, if she summoned him, not to idle love-dalliance but to a covenant of souls, a mutual conflict for what was highest and most sacred?
Such a thing was incomprehensible to Biberli; but notwithstanding her letter--nay, even on its account--he longed still more ardently to lead her home to his mother and see her receive the blessing of the woman whom he so deeply honoured.
He had Eva's letter read for the second and the third time.

But when Biberli paused, and in a few brief sentences cast fresh doubts upon the writer, Heinz angrily stopped him.