ness and want of interest in
external things, she was continually harping upon one thought, and this
thought had been instilled into her by Sonnenkamp; but it had become
stronger than he desired, taking exclusive possession of her being.

He understood how to represent in a very plausible way, that the
Professorin--to whom the Cabinetsraethin herself looked up, because she
had been the favorite and most influential lady of the Court, even the
friend and confidante of the Princess-dowager--that this lady would
give to the whole family a new splendor, and surely be the means of
their attaining the desired end.

Sonnenkamp succeeded in impressing her so deeply with his sagacity,
that Frau Ceres at last yielded, saying,--

"You are, in fact, very wise. I will speak to the tutor's mother."

He now proceeded to give some instructions, how she should bear herself
towards her, but, like a spoiled child,--even almost like an irrational
animal, Frau Ceres shrieked out, clapped her hands, stamped her feet,
crying,--

"I won't have any instructions! not a word more! Bring the lady to me!"

Sonnenkamp went to the Widow, deeply moved and troubled; he wanted to
give to her some directions in regard to her interview with his wife,
but was afraid of every hint, and only said,--

"My dear little wife has been a little spoiled, and is very nervous."

Eric's mother visited Frau Ceres, and found her lying quietly upon the
sofa; she had sense enough to know that the less demonstrative one is,
the more effect does one produce upon others.

When the visitor on entering made a very graceful courtesy, Frau Ceres
suddenly forgot everything, and before a word could be said, she
cried,--

"You must teach me that! I would like to courtesy in that way. Is not
that the way they do at Court?"

The visitor knew not what to reply. Is this something worse than a
nervous person,--is she insane? She retained self-command enough,
however, to say:--

"I can very well conceive that our forms must be rather strange to you,
in your free Republic; I think that it is better at the first interview
to shake hands."

She extended her hand, which Frau Ceres took, and rose as if forgetting
herself.

"You are ill, I will not disturb you any longer," said the Professor's
widow.

Frau Ceres considered it would be better to pass for a sick person, and
said,--

"Ah, yes! I am always ill. But I beseech you, remain."

And when the Mother now addressed h