Page:The German Novelists (Volume 2).djvu/408

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398
Popular Traditions.

ears, after he himself had disappeared. With the careful eye of a prudent householder and father, master Rhenfried, examined all parts of the room with his lanthorn, in order to ascertain that nothing of an unhallowed or diabolical kind had been left in the haunted room. He could discover nothing, except that upon the little table there remained the same old gold coins, counted out in payment of the strange lodger’s rent.

“Hem!” said the master, thinking awhile to himself, “an honest ghost in his way; yet I must not venture to take possession of it; though, again it is doubtless a God-send, which ought not to be buried without turning to use, nor misapplied;—I will conyey it then to St. Ursula’s Hospital. Morning is already glimmering through the window-shutters; I think we will awaken little Margaret, and take her along with us, for the child is always eager, and even quite fond of walking that way; none so pleasant, she thinks, when I go along with her.”

Very soon, then, the Professor and master Rhenfried were proceeding on their route, conducting the pretty Margery carefully between them, along the beautiful avenue of lime trees which leads with gentle ascent to the front of the Hospital. The little girl laughed and jested in so artless and engaging a manner, as to lighten up the sad contemplative features of her companions with occasional smiles. They met