The humour of Germany; . osesand listen to me ! No, said Jole, growing bolder, I will listen first, andthen see about taking down the roses. Having once over-come my feminine modesty, words do not suffice to hold meback before knowing sin, and without sin I shall know norepentance. A DISREPUTABLE SAINT. 213 Now Vitalis began the most beautiful sermon he had everpreached. The girl listened with a charming raptness, whichin its turn influenced the choice of his words, the beautyand grace of the object to be converted imperceptibly callingforth a higher eloquence. But as she was not at all seriou
The humour of Germany; . osesand listen to me ! No, said Jole, growing bolder, I will listen first, andthen see about taking down the roses. Having once over-come my feminine modesty, words do not suffice to hold meback before knowing sin, and without sin I shall know norepentance. A DISREPUTABLE SAINT. 213 Now Vitalis began the most beautiful sermon he had everpreached. The girl listened with a charming raptness, whichin its turn influenced the choice of his words, the beautyand grace of the object to be converted imperceptibly callingforth a higher eloquence. But as she was not at all seriousin the frivolous speeches she had made to him, she could notbe very deeply impressed by his words; a sweet smile floatedabout her lips, and when he had finished, Jole said, I ambut half touched by your words, and cannot give up myproject; I am too curiousto know the joys of thisworld! It was the first timethat his art of conversionhad met with so com-plete a failure. Withcontemplative sighs hewalked back andforth in the. NOW VITALIS BEGAN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SERMON HE HAD EVER PREACHED, 214 GERMAN HUMOUR. room, and then glanced at the httle candidate for power of the Devil seemed to have made a strangecompact here with the power of innocence. I will not leave this room, he cried at last, until 3ourepent! That would but make me more stubborn, replied Jole. I will ponder your words, and the coming night I willhear you again ! So be it then ! cried Vitalis ; whereupon he left her,and Jole slipped quietly back into her fathers house. She slept but a short time, and awaited the evening withimpatience. She had seen what an ecstatic fire beamedwithin the eyes of the monk; she had seen how manlywere his motions in spite of his ecclesiastical dress. Whenshe thought of his self-renunciation, of the steadfastnesswith which he followed his chosen aim, she could not butwish that these good qualities might serve her own useand pleasure, in the shape of a loving and faithful hus
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