me in religion as well as the preacher, although she is a Catholic.
Since my father's childhood she has been a sort of governante in the
house. You should have seen her melancholy smile when she heard my
geography lesson, and we read of her dear Switzerland, where she was
born, and of the south of France, where she had travelled as a child.
The west coast of Jutland may also appear very barren in comparison
with these countries!"

"She might have made you a Catholic! But surely nothing of this
still clings to you?"

"Rosalie was a prudent old creature; Luther himself need not have
been ashamed of her doctrine. Whatever is holy to the heart of man,
remains also holy in every religion!"

"But then, to erect altars to the Madonna!" exclaimed Wilhelm; "to
pray to a being; whom the Bible does not make a saint!--that is
rather too much. And their tricks with burning of incense and
ringing of bells! Yes, indeed, it would give me no little pleasure
to cut off the heads of the Pope and of the whole clerical body! To
purchase indulgence!--Those must, indeed, be curious people who can
place thorough faith in such things! I will never once take off my
hat before the Madonna!"

"But that will I do, and in my heart bow myself before her!"
answered Otto, gravely.

"Did I not think so? she has made you a Catholic!"

"No such thing! I am as good a Protestant as you yourself: but