his own breast ere he attains the conviction that his guilt is expiated
by deep repentance and better deeds!"

"I can answer for that," here interposed old Ursel, who from her arm-
chair had listened to the conversation between the two with intense
interest.

"Good heavens! One went forth from the confessional as pure as a white
dove after absolution had been received and the penance performed; but
now that I belong to the Protestants, it is hard to reach a perfect
understanding with the dear Saviour and one's self."

"And ought that to redound to the discredit of my faith?" asked Wolf.
"So far as I have learned to know men, the majority, at least, will not
hasten to attain our Ursel's complete understanding with one's self.
I should even fear that there are many among you who no longer feel
a desire to heed little sins and their forgiveness----"

Here Ursel again interrupted him with an exclamation of dissent,
accompanied by a gesture of denial from her thin old hand; but Wolf
glanced at the clock which the precentor had received as a testimonial
of affection from the members of the cathedral choir, which he had led
for years.

It was already half past one, and for the sake of Ursel, who was still
obliged to take care of herself, he urged departure, adding gaily that he
had not the ability to "defend himself against two." Erasmus, too, was
surprised to find it so late, and, after shaking hands with the old woman
and promising to visit her soon again, seized his cap. Wolf accompanied
him.