A week passed quietly by, and the excitement caused by Brother Daniel's
departure had given place to the usual monotonous religious routine.
During this time things had gone badly with Adele. Self-control and
obedience were things entirely new to her, and she felt by no means
attracted towards the young girls about her, always excepting Carmen.
The predilection which her mother had shown for the latter had quickly
communicated itself to the daughter, and Carmen, in return, feeling
that she could never be sufficiently grateful to Frau von Trautenau for
her kindness, showed every possible favor to Adele. This young lady's
naturally vivacious and merry disposition, which was not at all subdued
by the calm seriousness which surrounded her, proved a great source of
amusement to Carmen. She gladly reciprocated the warm affection
lavished upon her by the petted heiress, and every letter which reached
Wolmershain teemed with the pleasure the two friends took in each
other's society. Adele told how Carmen had passed her eighteenth
birthday, and now wore pink instead of red; how Carmen had undertaken
to teach some of the English classes, and how all the girls loved their
new teacher, etc., etc.

Carmen's natural cheerfulness had not been disturbed by the
communication Sister Agatha had made to her in regard to Brother
Jonathan. The morning after, Sister Agatha asked if she had considered
the matter well, and prayed over it; to which Carmen answered in the
affirmative, but persisted in her positive refusal; to which Brother
Jonathan submitted with apparent calmness. If he felt at all
mortified, he certainly exerted immense self-control, for he seemed the
same as usual, and his voice was clear and firm; so that Agatha felt
sure that it was only his great unselfishness which had prompted him to
entertain the idea.