"Nonsense, Clotilda!" cried Frau von Erfft. "What you say about his
laughing may be true, and a man who cannot laugh is half animal. But do
you mean to tell me that an intelligent man must resort to such means to
find peace with himself and his God? A man who is under obligations to
set an example for others? Is there not enough darkness in men's heads
already? Is it necessary to put out the torches of those who stand
guard? My sense of pardon is not so elaborate. I prefer to be a child of
the world and associate with those who are regarded as heathens, and who
have given us works of light and illumination."

At these words Eberhard entered. As she looked into his face, Frau von
Erfft thought: "There is another who can't laugh."

The Baron's change of religious views caused the greatest excitement
throughout the entire country. The liberal newspapers published
fulminatory articles; flaming protests were made in the clubs against
the surreptitious propaganda of Rome. The ultramontane party leaders
rejoiced and made capital out of the marvellous return of such a sceptic
to the bosom of the Church which alone can save the souls of men: they
used the case as a bait for fresh recruits and as a means to fill the
old regulars with greater fire and enthusiasm. Through the homes blew a
breath of a tyrannical priesthood and spiritual gagging.

Eberhard adapted himself to his changed condition quickly and with but
little apparent effort: the chaos of opinions left him virtually
unmoved. To become the master of so much and so many people, and to do
it so suddenly, necessitated dignity, a clear eye, and a firm hand. His
being was in no danger from an excess of zeal or up-start conceit,
suffer though he might from too great seriousness and his preference for
a place in the shadow. Strangely enough, the abundance of his
responsibilities made him more cheerful. And where he was unable to take
his part in the world of outward unrest, Sylvia's influence interceded
and made it possible for him to do what was expected of him.

In May he accompanied her and her mother to Erfft. There they took long
walks together every day, and talked a great deal about Eleanore. At
first he spoke with noticeable reserve. But when he felt that he had
gained the confidence of his auditor, and she his, he spoke quite
candidly, so candidly in truth that Sylvia came to look upon his action
as one of inner liberation.

When he told of Eleanore's marriage to