Leonhard gave his name, and moreover his opinion that he had trespassed too long already on the hospitality of the house.

To this remark Loretz paid no attention.  “Wife,” he called out, “isn’t that name down in the birthday book—­Leonhard Marten? I am sure of it.  He was a Herrnhuter.”

“Very likely, husband,” was the answer from the other room.  “Will you come, good people?” The good people who heard that voice understood just what its tone meant, and there was an instant response.

“Come in, sir,” said Loretz; and the invitation admitted no argument, for he went forward at once with a show of alacrity sufficient to satisfy his wife.  “This young man here was looking for a public-house.  They are full at the Brethren’s, I hear.  I thought he could not do better than take luck with us,” he said to her by way of explanation.

“He is welcome,” said the wife in a prompt, business-like tone, which was evidently her way.  “Daughter!” She looked at Elise, and Elise brought a plate, knife and fork for “this young man,” and placed them where her mother indicated—­that is, next herself.  Between the mother and daughter Leonhard therefore took refuge, as it were, from the rather too majestic presence opposite known as Sister Benigna.  He should have felt at ease in the little circle, for not one of them but felt the addition to their party to be a diversion and a relief.  As to Dame Anna Loretz, thoughts were passing through her mind which might pass through the minds of others also in the course of time should Leonhard prove to be a good Moravian and decide to remain among them.  They were thoughts which would have sent a dubious smile around the board, however, could they have been made known just now to Elise and her father and Sister Benigna; and what would our young friend—­from the city evidently—­have looked or said could they have been communicated to him?  Already the mind and heart of the mother of Elise, disconcerted and distracted for the moment by that untoward casting of the lot, had risen to a calm survey of the situation of things; and now she was endeavoring to reconcile herself to the prospect which imagination presented to the eye of faith, If she had perceived in the unannounced appearing of the young gentleman who sat near her devouring with keen appetite the good fare before him, and apologizing for his hunger with a grace which ensured him constant renewal of vanishing dishes,—­if she had perceived in it a manifestation of the will of Providence, she could not have smiled on Leonhard more kindly, or more successfully have exerted herself to make him feel at home.

And might not Mr. Leonhard have congratulated himself?  If there was a “great house” in Spenersberg, this was that mansion; and if there were great people there, these certainly were they.  And to think of finding in this vale cultivators of high art, intelligent, simple-hearted, earnest, beautiful!