not for show. He liked to keep good
horses and dogs, an admirably appointed table and cellar, and a large
staff of well-drilled servants. On the other hand, he avoided anything
approaching to display, was never seen at races, went to no fashionable
baths, gave no grand entertainments, nor had a box at either theatre or
operahouse, belonged to no club, and never played high. His wife wore
perhaps rather more jewelry and followed the newest Paris fashions a
trifle more closely than was absolutely necessary at Friesenmoor or
even the Uhlenhorst, but as she remained as simple and unaffected as
before, nobody could think any the worse of her for this small
inherited weakness.

Toward his own family Paul had behaved in a most exemplary manner,
affording thereby the strongest proof that though he had risen he was
no upstart. The numerous members of his family and the men who had
married into it nearly all had to thank him for their advancement or
actual support. Some were employed on his estate, others he had trained
in his particular branch of agriculture, after which, and with his
recommendation, they had found no difficulty in obtaining brilliant
positions as stewards or lease-holders of estates, and two of his
brothers had appointments on royal domains. He had, therefore, every
right to self-congratulation, as having fulfilled all the duties of a
model man and citizen far beyond what necessity demanded.

For Wilhelm, Paul still retained the affection and friendship of his
early days, only that, unconsciously to himself, it had taken on a
certain fatherly tone; although there was a difference of but one year
between them, there was a touch of protecting consideration and pity
about it, such as strong men feel toward a weaker and less perfectly
developed creature.

The first day Paul left his friend to have a thorough rest, but the
next morning early he knocked at his door and asked if he might come in.

"Certainly," was the answer, and opening the door at the same moment,
Wilhelm appeared fully dressed and ready for inspection.

"You have kept up your old habit of early rising--that is right," said
Paul, and clapped him on the shoulder.

"So have you," returned Wilhelm with a smile.

"I--oh, that's different. I am a farmer, and you know the proverb--'The
master's eye makes the cattle fat.' But your books don't require to be
fed and watered at break of day. As you are ready, come down now, and
we can have a chat ove