ought this
about; Eric's cooperation was no longer of any account. It was settled
with Pranken, that Clodwig, who was the most influential member of the
Committee for conferring nobility, should be gained over to favor the
object now exclusively occupying their attention, and induced to take
actively the initiative.

Sonnenkamp stood before his armory, and before the large money-safe
built into the walls; here were many potent agencies, but they were of
no help in this matter, where personal influence alone availed. He was
despondent for a short time; then he proudly drew himself up, thinking
that he had already succeeded in other undertakings, and here also
there would not be wanting to him the requisite means.

He had a severe contest with Frau Ceres on the day they were to go to
the fete; she wanted to wear all her jewelry to dinner, and even
Fraeulein Perini could not divert her from her purpose, by representing
how irrefragably settled it was that no diamonds should be worn by
daylight. Frau Ceres wept like a little child, and she preferred to
remain at home if this pleasure was begrudged her.

Sonnenkamp entreated her to dress plainly, and not annoy the Countess
by wearing jewels worth twenty times what she herself possessed; and it
was promised her, that at the next fete given at the house, she might
appear in full costume.

But Frau Cores persisted in saying that she would not accompany them if
she could not wear her jewels.

"Well, then," said Sonnenkamp, "I will send a messenger to Wolfsgarten
immediately, to inform them that you will remain at home."

He had a groom sent for at once, and gave him orders to saddle a horse,
in order to ride immediately to Wolfsgarten. He went off. Frau Ceres'
look followed him with a very angry glance; she was then the miserable
child who must remain at home, when all the rest were going to the
fete. After a time, she hastened to Sonnenkamp's room, and announced
that she would go with them in the way they desired.

Sonnenkamp regretted that he had already sent the messenger off, and
now Frau Ceres besought him, with tears, to send a second messenger
announcing her coming. Sonnenkamp asserted that this was no longer
possible, but finally yielded. He went himself to the stables, and had
nothing further to do than to say to the groom,--

"Take off the saddle!" for he had not sent him away, knowing that Frau
Ceres would, after a while, beseech him like a child.

They dro