“How good you are, dear Sister Agatha!” said Carmen, pressing her hand affectionately.

They had now entered the house, and Alexander remained in an adjoining room, while Carmen went at once to her father.  The bed had been drawn close to the window to give him more air, and he was now resting quietly, as if asleep, his hands crossed on his breast, and the shadow of death on his brow.  Carmen was greatly shocked at the change.

“My darling father, I am here with you; do you know me, your own Carmen?” she asked, kneeling by the couch.

At the sound of her voice, he opened his eyes, and a faint, happy smile broke over his stiffening features.

“My child—­are you here?  Now I am ready to go.”

“Father, let us hope God will spare you to us!”

“No, my precious child, let us hope He will, at last, set me free; for I long, oh so earnestly! to be at rest.  Carmen, a guilty conscience is a scorpion which never ceases to torment, and deals a death-blow to all peace and happiness; therefore keep your heart pure, my darling, and ever have God’s commandments before your mind, so as to avoid sinning against them.  Let me persuade you to come back into the bosom of our faith, and draw your husband with you.  He could enter the Brotherhood, even though he lived elsewhere.  Oh, ensure the safety of your soul, under the shelter of our holy religion, so that your life be not poisoned with remorse, as mine has been!”

She kissed her father’s hand with love and reverence; then raising her head, looked in his eyes, which rested on her so anxiously.  “Father I promise you I will remain faithful to my God, and endeavor to keep His laws.”

Mauer sank back on his pillows.  “Brother Jonathan,” he whispered, after a pause, “has kept my fearful secret; and even though he always involuntarily reminds me of it, he has maintained his friendship and brotherly love for me until now; but he has never allowed me to forget that my wealth must go to the community, as an atonement for my crime; so I have specified in my will that, in expiation of a great sin, I have left all my money to the commonwealth of the Brotherhood and their missions:  thus, in benefiting all, to make amends for sinning against one.”

Carmen silently kissed his pale lips; then, rising, went into the next room and brought back with her Alexander and the child.  They kneeled beside the dying man, and Carmen asked with tears “Father, bless your children!”

“Do you value the blessing of such as I?” he said humbly.

“Yes, my father, I cannot live without it.”

Then the old man laid his hands on the three heads and murmured words of benediction.

CHAPTER XII.