“Of course, Alexander,” she replied.  “I was here once, some years ago, on a visit to President von Karsdorf, and I can perfectly remember how full of interest the whole place was, and how pleased the Karsdorfs were to think they could end their lives in this peaceful, quiet spot.”

“Such extraordinary order and cleanliness seems almost like a matter of pride and show on the part of these humble people—­as if the inner purity of their souls must needs be manifested in this extreme, outward neatness,” said the gentleman, laughing.

“You are prejudiced against the Moravian character, I know, and yet there is so much that is good in them!” argued the lady.

“That may well be so, mother.  I am willing to acknowledge all their good qualities,” said her son; “but these numerous forms which intrude themselves upon every occasion seem like fetters and bonds to free souls.  So much unnatural restraint and parade of sanctity is offensive to me.  I never could tolerate hypocrites, and such they surely must be, although, of course, they would be shocked at the idea; for under all this excessive humility, this parade of piety, I venture to say there lies much concealed of which we do not dream.  One can imagine how much Herr von Karsdorf, an old epicure and man of the world, must have dissimulated to conform himself to the manners of this community, to be allowed to end his days here.”

His mother shook her head.  “I think,” she said, “that the subdued, pious bearing of the members has become like a second nature to them, and is now, therefore, not hypocritical.  Besides, think how excellent is the domestic economy of the settlement; how active and prosperous they are in trade and various industries.  They have many practical, temporal, as well as spiritual objects to which they devote themselves.”

“I grant all that; but such immense importance is attached to little things.  Their work would be very trifling and ridiculous if attempted on a large scale.  It resembles the wonderful industry in an ant-hill, unremitting and earnest, but petty labor.  No genius is displayed.  What great men have arisen from among them?  Who are the distinguished scholars and artists which have gone forth from their ranks?”

“And how about their sufferings?” interposed the other, quickly.  “Their struggles amidst privation and misery, and persecutions of all kinds in distant lands, for the sake of their faith, and to rescue wild heathens from depravity and barbarism, and win them over to the Christian religion?  Do you not deem that a noble work?  Consider their admirable regulations as regards education; are they not excellent?  I look for the greatest improvement in Adele, as the result of her stay here.—­But it seems to me I have turned into the wrong street, for the Sisters’ house is certainly not here!”

“Here come some people at last,” replied Alexander—­“a girl with a child.  They will be able to direct us.”  He stepped forward to meet the approaching figures, and with a polite greeting begged for information.  The young girl dropped a modest courtesy to the stranger, and with downcast eyes listened to his inquiries about the way to the Sisters’ house.  Then she turned to the lady, who had in the mean time drawn near, and said courteously:  “I am just going hither; may I conduct you?”