230 The Countess Itha

cerned. She would prefer, despite the hard-
ness and the pain, to spend in this peaceful
spot what time was yet allotted to her, but that
she longed once more to hear the music of
the holy bells, to kneel once more before the
altar of God.

What plea could Heinrich use to shake her
resolution ? His shame and remorse, even
his love, held him tongue-tied. He saw
that she was no longer the meek gentle Swa-
bian maiden who had shrunk and wept at
every hasty word and sharp glance of his.
He had slain all human love in her; nothing
survived save that large charity of the Saints
which binds them to all suffering souls on
the earth.

Wofully he consented to her one wish.
A simple cell was prepared for her in the
wood beside the chapel of Our Lady in
the Meadow, and there she dwelt until, in
a little while, her gentle spirit was called
home.