“Well,” said he, assuming a comfortable position, “I can touch you, at least, now.”

“Yes,” replied Nanna seriously, for she was musing on Magde’s words of caution, “yes, you can; but I do not wish you to.”

“You do not?”

“I do not,” replied she firmly.

“What an obstinate little creature you are!”

“You desired to know what I have read,” said Nanna, wishing to change the subject of conversation.

“True, but why do you hide your little hand under your apron, I shall not touch it without your permission?”

Nanna smiled as she slowly withdrew her hands from their place of concealment and folded them upon her lap.

“Now, my child,” said the young man with an assumed air of dignity, “first of all, you may commence at the beginning.”

“When I was a little girl, my father bought for me some picture books, which as I read, he explained to me.  Next as I progressed further—­”

“Well, what happened?”

“Next I studied the catechism, which I liked very much, then I commenced reading the bible, a book which I love above all others, the new testament especially.  All that I do not understand my father explains to me, and after he has finished, I go alone to my room, and as I read I cannot refrain from weeping—­But my tears are not sorrowful, I think only of—­”

“Of what?”

“I know not whether I should tell you that.”

“Certainly you should; am I not your friend?”

“Well then—­but do not speak about it to any one—­I cannot help thinking that if I had lived when our Saviour was upon earth, I should have been one of the holy women.”

“Who ever heard of such ambition!  Why perhaps you would like to have been the virgin Mary, herself?”

“Oh,” exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she might conceal the blush, which his words of ridicule, as she esteemed them, had called forth.

“But, my child,” continued her companion, “we will dwell no longer upon your holy thoughts, so different from others of your age; proceed if you please.”

“Aside from the books I have mentioned, at my father’s request, I studied history, geography, natural philosophy, and finally ancient mythology.”

“You surprise me!  Your education has not been neglected; but you can write, can you not?”

“Certainly, and I have also practised drawing a little.”

“Indeed! upon my honor, Mademoiselle Nanna you frighten me!”

“Why?”

“Because I cannot comprehend how you can use all your knowledge in this valley.”

“I have often thought of that,” replied Nanna, sighing deeply.

“Perhaps, it is not such a terrible matter after all,” said Gottlieb, “I must thoroughly convince myself.”

Gottlieb now commenced to examine and cross-question Nanna in the various departments of learning that she had mentioned, and was pleased to discover by her accurate replies that she comprehended thoroughly all that she had studied.  In fact, Nanna was quite his equal in her knowledge of Ancient Mythology, which had always been her favorite study.