"Where is my sister?" they suddenly heard Roland's loud voice saying.
The door was thrown violently open. Roland, quickly perceiving what had been going on, cried,—
"You have humiliated yourself sufficiently: come with me." He seized Manna by the hand, and left the convent with her.
When they were in the open air, Roland said he had been unable to endure the suspense any longer. He had feared lest Manna would allow herself to be maltreated, enduring unkindness as a penance.
"And that you must not do, even if you could bear it yourself, for Eric's sake. You must not allow Eric's betrothed to be insulted and abused."
How Manna's eyes shone as she gazed into Roland's glowing countenance!
"It is over," she said. "A whole world is swallowed up behind me. It is well that it is over."
Fräulein Perini remained some time longer with the Superior, then followed Manna. Sitting beside her in the boat, she said in a peculiar low whisper,—
"I was obliged to say that. I could not do otherwise."
Manna held out her hand, saying,—