A faint sound of martial music penetrated to Brother Mauer's room the
next morning, as the troops marched away. The old man sat wrapped in
meditation. A new world of thought had opened to him since last night.
Carmen, the bride of a stranger! How very different from any former
plans or prospects! He had given his free consent to his daughter's
marriage, for Alexander had gained his entire confidence.
The resolution and determined will displayed in the young officer's
bearing reassured him, and dispelled his inward despair and
helplessness. A marriage with this man was the only solution to the
miserable situation; and when Carmen was removed from his immediate
neighborhood, she would still be nearer than if she was a missionary's
wife. But the severance of his child from her faith gave him extreme
anxiety for her; as, according to his ideas, happiness, prosperity, and
peace could be found only among the Moravians, in the strict observance
of their laws and customs. Was it possible Carmen could be willing to
forsake all this for a strange man? He could not grasp the thought.
Yet when, weeping bitterly, she said, "Father, I love Alexander as
deeply as my mother did you," there thrilled through him a memory of
Inez's ardent love, as she clung to him with utter abandon, and found
her world at his side; and he blessed the union of the lovers.
But Carmen had a very trying interview with Sister Agatha, when she
went in the morning and imparted to her what had occurred the night
before, and what decision she had made.
Agatha listened to the girl's words attentively and thoughtfully, and
an expression of deep sorrow filled her countenance.
"Carmen," she said sadly, "judging from what you say, you have in your
heart completely cut yourself off from the Lord's mercy and our faith,
and therefore it is better that things should be as they are, for you
must not play the hypocrite--anything is preferable to that. You would
destroy yourself and be of no benefit to us." She laid her hand gently
on Carmen's head, and added: "Go now, dear Sister, and tread the new
path you have chosen for yourself; and Heaven grant it may not lead to
misery! If, however, happiness deserts you, and your heart yearns
after us, like the thirsty wayfarer in the desert, then return to the
people of the Lord, that we may help you to return to Him."
She tenderly kissed the maiden's brow, pressed her to her bosom again
and again, and let her go. She followed Carmen's lovely form with her
eyes as she passed through the doorway and left the room; then, folding
her hands in prayer, she said: "Lord, forgive the child. A soul which
was entrusted to me by Thee, which I knew not how to guide aright, has
been taken from me. If she goes astray, let mine be the blame, for it
was my fault; but if she seeks Thee in another path of life, then give
her Thy peace. Ah, how much I have still to correct in myself! Yet I
would fain do my utmost for the souls Thou hast committed to my charge.
I praise Thee, and would not think of my trials, if only I am counted
worthy to suffer for Thy sake."
So Carmen was freed from the fetters she had unwillingly worn for so
long. Alexander had arranged with her and her father that she should
go to his mother at Wollmershain; but the separation from her father
was a severe trial to her loving heart. Fate had scarcely united them,
and already they must part and, knowing what misery it was to the old
man, it seemed almost more than she could bear. And yet it must be.
She promised to visit her father twice every week, and would be quick
and diligent in her home duties, so as to make her visits longer.
The days were now very lonely without the bright, cheerful presence of
his daughter; and when winter came, his own dwelling was ready to be
occupied, but all the zest and pleasure of moving into his new abode
seemed to have vanished. He took Sister Ursula, an aged widow, as his
servant and housekeeper. How he loved to sit by the window in his
room, from whence he could look out on the hill where the cemetery was
laid out! "The Brothers will soon carry me along that path," he
thought, "and it will be well for me when the time comes. I have
always longed to be laid away in our own God's-acre, among the Sisters
and Brothers, and enter with them into the joy of our Lord."
He now had also the happiness of having Carmen with him for several
days at a time. The house seemed illuminated by her presence, her room
was close to his, and there she had plants which he took care of for
her. There was also a snug little corner where they passed many happy
hours together. But with the knowledge of the fearful secret which
overshadowed her father's life a deeper gravity had come to her, which
subdued her otherwise exuberant and joyous temperament; and Alexander
often asked if it was the love she felt for him which had thus checked
her former cheerfulness. And this shadow did not pass away when,
shortly after Christmas, her wedding was celebrated, and Mauer informed
her that he had divided the fortune left him by Inez from his own
property, in order to make it over to her daughter, to whom it by right
belonged. So the young couple remained at Wollmershain, after
Alexander had sold his commission and left the army; and Mauer was
happy in the assurance that his daughter would always be near him.