Felix endeavored, with little success, to make the Professor take part in the conversation; and the visitors soon rose. On taking leave, Mrs. Struvelius stretched the lower part of her arm in a rectangular line toward Ilse and said, with a solemn pressure of the hand: "Pray feel yourself at home with us." And the words of her husband, bidding them adieu, were cut short by the closing of the door. "What do you say now?" said the Professor, as they drove away. "Ah, Felix, I feel very insignificant; my courage has left me, I would rather return home." "Be composed," said the husband, consolingly; "you are going about to-day as if you were at a fair, looking over the contents of the tables. What does not please you, you need not buy. The next visit is to our historian, a worthy man, who is one of the good genii of our University. His daughter also is an amiable young lady." A servant opened the door and conducted them into the reception-room. There were some good landscapes on the wall; a pianoforte, a pretty flower stand, with rare plants, well arranged and taken care of. The daughter entered hastily; she had a delicate face with beautiful dark eyes. A stately old gentleman with a distinguished air followed her. He looked something like a high official, only his lively way of speaking showed him to be a man of learning. Ilse was warmly and heartily welcomed. The old gentleman seated himself near her and began an easy conversation, and Ilse soon felt herself as comfortable as with an intimate acquaintance. She was also reminded of her home, for he asked: "Are any of the remains of the old monastery at Rossau still preserved?" Felix looked up with curiosity, and Ilse answered: "Only the walls; the interior is rebuilt." "It was one of the oldest ecclesiastical foundations of your region, and has stood many centuries, and undoubtedly exercised influence over a wide district. It is remarkable that the records of the monastery are almost all wanting, and all other accounts or notices, so far as I know, are very scanty. One may suppose that much still lies in concealment there." Ilse observed how the countenance of her husband lighted up; but he replied, quietly: "In the place itself, my inquiries were in vain." "That is possible," agreed the Historian. "Perhaps the documents have been taken to the seat of government, and lie there unused."