“God is love!” said Gottfried.  “And if we know him, if he has revealed his love to us, ought we not also to love one another?  Is it not in this, before everything else, that his image consists?”

Theobald.  His image!  The image of God!  These words were never before spoken in my ears.  I have never thought that I myself might bear the image of God.  Who has suggested to you this unheard-of and sublime idea?

Gottfried.  Was it not for this that the Son of God purchased us by his blood?  Was it not that his Spirit might renew and sanctify us, to the resemblance of God our Father?

Theobald, (leaning his forehead on one of his hands.) Purchased by his blood!  Renewed by his Spirit!  What does that mean?  These are, I am sure, the things of God, of heaven; but they are hid from my eyes.  I do not understand them.  Repeat them, I pray you.

Gottfried.  Is it possible that the sacrifice of Jesus can be unknown to you?  Do you not know, then, that the Saviour has shed his blood on the cross?

At this question, Theobald drew from beneath his tunic of fine linen, a little crucifix, which was suspended from his neck by a chain of gold, and after having kissed it, showed it to Gottfried.

“Well, then,” said the old man, “since you wear upon your person a representation of this sacrifice, why do you not rejoice in what He has done for us?  Yes; why do you not glorify him who loved us with such a love?”

“But I have not yet merited it,” said Theobald, casting down his head, and coloring.

“Merited it!” exclaimed Gottfried.  “Is Jesus, think you, a Saviour, if his salvation is not a gift?”

Theobald looked at the old man a long time in silence, and at last said, “This thought has never before occurred to me.  If Jesus is a Saviour, you say his salvation is a gift.  What a faith!  Is that your religion?”

Gottfried.  I am by nature a wicked man, like all others, but my soul reposes upon Jesus; and I desire to love him, because he has loved me, even unto dying for my sins.  His blood has washed my soul; I therefore know that I am saved.  Can I love him enough for such grace——?”

“Some one knocks at the door,” said Theobald; and on the permission to enter, Ethbert announced that the hour for supper approached, and that his master was expected to attend prayers.

“You will not forget me!” said Theobald, extending his hand to Gottfried.  “Go! and may God himself be with me as he is with you!  I have much, much to think of.”

CHAPTER V.

ARNOLD’S NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE AND WHAT FOLLOWED—­HILDEGARDE AND THEOBALD’S CHILDREN.

Prayers were held in Arnold’s room.  His wound was severe, but not dangerous, and his heart needed to hear his father thank God for the great deliverance which he had granted him.