ride had therefore
remained at home. No one of the Wine-count's family made his
appearance, except the Wine-cavalier, who expressed in renewed terms
regret for the indisposition of his future brother-in-law.

A famous portrait-painter was also present, who had been for several
weeks at the country-house of the Wine-count in order to paint
life-size portraits of the betrothed couple. He was very much the
fashion, and was very successful in pearls, lace, and gray satin, and
also in faces, except that they all had a strong tinge of blue; but he
was very popular with the court, and there could be no question but
that he was the only man to paint the distinguished bride.

The Russian Prince was, of course, a star of the first magnitude.
Sonnenkamp occupied the place of honor next to Frau Bella, and on the
other side sat the Prince. Clodwig had Frau Ceres by his side, and the
Major was very naturally seated next, as an efficient ally. Clodwig
entertained Frau Ceres in a very friendly way, and she ate freely
to-day, out of embarrassment, without Sonnenkamp's intervention.

Sonnenkamp had brought into play his old weapons of gallantry, but he
seemed to have no success, for Bella did not half listen to him, giving
much of her attention to the conversation of Eric with the Russian.

All at once the conversation between different individuals ceased, as
the Prince asked Herr Sonnenkamp,--

"Do they also designate the slaves in America as souls?"

"I do not understand your meaning."

"I mean that in Russia we designate the serfs as souls: a man is said
to have so many hundred or thousand souls; and do they call them so in
America too?"

"No."

"It is questioned indeed," interposed Clodwig, "whether the niggers
really have souls. Humboldt relates that the savages have the notion
that apes also can speak, but that they purposely refrain from doing
so, because they are afraid that they also shall be compelled to work
if it is known that they can speak."

A general laugh proceeded from the company at table, and Clodwig
added,--

"If we dig up the smallest vessel belonging to the Greek and Roman age,
we discover always some sort of beauty; but, so far as I am acquainted,
the niggers have never embodied a single new beautiful form."

"Neither have they," interposed the Prince, "as has been said, ever
invented even a mouse-trap!"

"Not even that," replied Clodwig. "The question comes up, whether the
negroes can be inherito