No debts burdened him ; the year of absence was nearly over ; and if he chose to stay , Herr Bergmann had hopes for him that would bring independence for a time at least . So he walked under the lindens with a lighter heart , and in the May evenings went about the city with a band of strolling students , making music before houses where he used to sit as guest . No one recognized him in the darkness , though old friends often listened to the band ; and once Minna threw him money , which he humbly received as part of his penance , being morbid on the subject of his sins . His reward came sooner than he expected , and was greater than he deserved , he thought , though his heart leaped with joy when his master one day informed him that he was chosen , with several other of his most promising pupils , to join the musical society which was to take part in the great festival in London the next July . Here was not only honour for the violinist but happiness for the man , as it brought him nearer home , and would open a chance of further promotion and profit in his chosen profession . ` Make thyself useful to Bachmeister there in London with thy English , and if all goes well with him , he will be glad to take thee to America , whither he goes in the early autumn for winter concerts . Thou hast done well these last months , and I have hopes of thee . ' As the great Bergmann seldom praised his pupils , these words filled Nat 's soul with pride and joy , and he worked yet more diligently than before to fulfil his master 's prophecy . He thought the trip to England happiness enough , but found room for more when , early in June , Franz and Emil paid him a flying visit , bringing all sorts of good news , kind wishes , and comfortable gifts for the lonely fellow , who could have fallen on their necks and cried like a girl at seeing his old mates again . How glad he was to be found in his little room busy at his proper work , not living like an idle gentleman on borrowed money ! How proud he was to tell his plans , assure them that he had no debts , and receive their praises for his improvement in music , their respect for his economy and steadfastness in well-doing ! How relieved when , having honestly confessed his shortcomings , they only laughed , and owned that they also had known like experiences , and were the wiser for them . He was to go to the wedding late in June , and join his comrades in London . As best man , he could not refuse the new suit Franz insisted on ordering for him ; and a cheque from home about that time made him feel like a millionaire -- and a happy one ; for this was accompanied by such kind letters full of delight in his success , he felt that he had earned it , and waited for his joyful holiday with the impatience of a boy . Dan meantime was also counting the weeks till August , when he would be free . But neither marriage-bells nor festival music awaited him ; no friends would greet him as he left the prison ; no hopeful prospect lay before him ; no happy home-going was to be his . Yet his success was far greater than Nat 's , though only God and one good man saw it . It was a hard-won battle ; but he would never have to fight so terrible a one again ; for though enemies would still assail from within and from without , he had found the little guide-book that Christian carried in his bosom , and Love , Penitence , and Prayer , the three sweet sisters , had given him the armour which would keep him safe . He had not learned to wear it yet , and chafed against it , though he felt its value , thanks to the faithful friend who had stood by him all that bitter year . Soon he was to be free again , worn and scarred in the fray , but out among men in the blessed sun and air .
When he thought of it XXXXX felt as if he could not wait , but must burst that narrow cell and fly away , as the caddis-worms he used to watch by the brookside shed their stony coffins , to climb the ferns and soar into the sky .
Bachmeister Dan Emil cheque guide-book home-going lindens steadfastness weeks whither