e high associates
with whom he was intimate; and when he had excited my curiosity and
wonderment to a high degree, by gorgeous narratives of the great world,
he stopped short and said: "I would not have you think, Jasper, that
these dukes and princes were more gifted or more endowed than other
men; the only real difference between them is, that they employ their
faculties on great events, not little ones; and all their pleasures,
their amusements, their very vices, react upon the condition of mankind
in general, and consequently whatever goes forward in their society has
a certain amount of importance, not for itself, but for what may follow
it."

These words made a profound impression upon me, leading to the
conviction that out of this charmed circle life had no ambition worth
striving for, no successes that deserved a struggle. From my mother I
had no concealment, and before I went to my bed I told her all that the
Herr Robert had said to me, and showed how deeply this sentiment had
sunk into my mind.

I conclude that it must have been from some relation to her former fears
she took immediate alarm at the possible bent my mind was receiving.
Assuredly she deemed that his influence over me was not without peril,
and resolved the following morning to send for the Herr Robert, and
in all frankness avow her fears, and appeal to his friendship to allay
them.

I was about to set off for school when the old man was ascending the
stairs, and taking me by the hand he led me back again into the little
chamber, where my mother awaited him.

"Let Jasper remain with us, madam," said he; "the few words of your note
have shown me what is passing in your mind, and it will save you and me
a world of explanation if he be suffered to be present."

My mother assented, not over willingly, perhaps, and the old man, taking
a seat, at once begun,--

"If I had ever suspected, madam, that my history could have possibly
possessed any interest for you, you should certainly have heard it ere
now. My opinion was, however, different; and I thought, moreover, that
as I had strictly abstained from encroaching upon your confidence, an
equal reserve might have protected mine. Forgive me if by any accident
the slightest word should escape me to cause you pain or displeasure.
Nothing can be further from my thoughts than this intention, and I beg
of you so to receive whatever I say.

"Some years ago, a physician, in whom I had and have the fulles