understand Sister Benigna."

It was well that she had these to speak of, and that she need not
confine herself to the main thought before them, for Albert could do
anything he attempted. Had not her father always said, "Let Spener
alone for getting what he wants: he'll have it, but he's above-board
and honest;" and what hopes, heaven-cleaving, had spread wing the
instant her eyes met his!

"It is easy to say that I do not understand," said he. "One has only
to assume that another is so excellent and virtuous a character as to
be beyond your comprehension, and then your mouth is stopped."

"Ah, how bitter you are!" exclaimed Elise. Her voice was full of pain.

Spener silently reproached himself, and said, with a tenderness that
was irresistible, "You don't know what temptations beset a man in
business and everywhere, Elise. It would be easier far to lie down
and die, I have thought sometimes, than to stand up and meet the enemy
like a man. You will never convince me that my duty is to let you go,
to give you up. I can think of nothing so wicked."

These words, which had a joyful sound to which she could not seal her
ears, made Elise stop suddenly, afraid of Albert, afraid of herself.
"I think," she said after a moment, "we had best not walk together
any longer. There is nothing we can say that will satisfy ourselves or
ought to satisfy each other."

"Do you mean that you accept this decision?" said he.