the perfection was attained which we now perceive!"

"But the Bible does not teach us thus!" said Louise.

"Moses invented his account of the creation," answered Otto; "we
keep to Nature, who has greater revelations than man."

"But the Bible is to you a holy book?" asked Louise, and colored.

"A venerable book!" returned Otto. "It contains the profoundest
doctrines, the most interesting histories, but also much which
belongs not at all to a holy book."

"How can you say such things?" exclaimed Louise.

"Do not touch upon religion in her presence," said Sophie; "she
is a pious soul, and believes, without desiring to know wherefore."

"Yes," said Wilhelm, "this winter she became quite angry, and, as I
believe, for the first time angry with me, because I maintained
that Christ was a man."

"Wilhelm!" interrupted the young girl, "do not speak of that; I
feel myself unhappy at this thought; I can and will not see the
Holy brought down to my level, and to that of every-day life. It
lies in my nature that I commit a sin if I think otherwise than I
have learned and than my heart allows me. It is profane, and if you
speak longer of religion in this strain I shall leave the room."

At this moment the mother entered. "The festival has commenced,"