His profession took him frequently to the Sisters' house, but when
there he had intercourse only with the nurses and patients. 'Tis true
he now came oftener than formerly, and at more irregular hours, on the
plea of looking after this or that which he had forgotten; but as he,
with silent tread, passed along through the halls, he seldom met any of
the Sisters, and Carmen never.

To-day had been rainy and wet, but towards evening the sky cleared up,
and Carmen led little Frieda home from the school-house. On her return
she took a roundabout path, and slackened her usually fleet steps to
enjoy the fresh, balmy spring air. She passed into a lonely lane,
bordered on either side with beautiful gardens, whose hedges were
unfolding their first blossoms, filling the air with sweetest perfume.
As she stooped to pick some lovely violets which peeped up from the
wayside, she, all at once, felt as if some one was standing behind her,
although no footfall had reached her ear. She raised herself hastily
from her stooping posture, and as she did so, felt a man's strong arm
passed around her, and in another second she was pressed violently to
his breast. She strove to cry out for help, but voice and tongue
failed her, as she turned and met Brother Jonathan's burning glance;
and there seemed to thrill through her, under the touch of his arm, the
same creeping, numbing horror that she felt when the snake coiled about
her arm. But how changed he looked! His whole countenance seemed
lighted up by a new expression, and eager, passionate words poured from
his lips.

"Carmen, so young, so warm-hearted, why can you not respond to a love
which is offered to you with all the intensity of a true heart? You
see in me only the grave, elderly man who wants you for his wife, and
therefore you reject him. But, Carmen, under this calm exterior you