"Honored mother! I would beseech you," Pranken said, turning quickly with humble mien toward the severe lady, "I would beseech you to permit Fräulein Sonnenkamp to give that book into my hand."
"Wonderful!" cried Manna, "I wanted to do that! I wanted to give it to you to carry to my brother. Ask him to read every day a chapter, beginning from the place where the green twig is put, so that he may receive every day the same thoughts into his soul that I do."
"What happiness this harmony of feeling, this oneness of sentiment, gives me! It would be a profanation to try to describe it!"
The superior was at a loss what to do, and Pranken continued:—
"I beseech you, then, my honored Fräulein, to pardon my presumption; I would like to request you to give me this holy book for my own edification, and that I too may be allowed to keep even step with your brother and you."
"But my name is written in the book," said Manna, blushing.
"So much the better," Pranken wanted to say, but luckily he was able to withhold it; he turned to the superior, folded his hands, and stood as if praying her to grant his petition. The superior nodded her head several times, and at last said,—
"My child, you may, perhaps, comply with this request of Herr von Pranken. And now, farewell."
Pranken received the book. He left the convent. As he sat in the boat, the ferryman said to him,—
"Perhaps some maiden over there is betrothed to you?"