led upon to
decide what part of the fruit should be allowed to mature, and what
should be sacrificed and removed in its unripe state in order that the
rest might thrive.

Sonnenkamp expressed himself as very much obliged for the compliment,
but he smiled inwardly, thinking that he saw through the fine courtly
breeding; that this lady, before she came there, had read up in his
favorite pursuit, in order to render herself agreeable to him. He
received this homage in an apparently natural way, as if he regarded it
as sincere; but he determined not to allow himself to be taken in by
any such arts.

He meant to offset politeness with politeness; and he hastened to place
everything in a friendly way at the disposal of the Mother and Aunt
Claudine.

Towards Frau Ceres the Professorin soon established a definite line of
conduct, allowing her to claim but a limited portion of her time; and
now Frau Ceres went into other rooms than her own apartments, which she
had never done before, and she frequently sent to ask the Mother if she
might pay her a visit; the request was sometimes granted and sometimes
refused.

Frau Ceres soon felt her mental influence, for she was always
interested in some thought or other; she was like a priestess whose
vocation it was to cherish perpetually a little flame upon an altar.
When Frau Ceres was eager to make this and that inquiry about life at
Court, the Professorin was able, in an unlooked-for way, to arouse her
to think, and take an interest in general matters.

The Aunt, who was very reserved in her manners, brought a new element
of life into the house. The grand-piano in the music-saloon, that had
lain so long idle, now sent forth clear and brilliant tones; and
Roland, who had wholly neglected musical practice, entered into it with
zest, and became the aunt's scholar. The house, formerly called dry by
Eric because it was void of music, was now refreshed and steeped in
harmony; it was a cheerful time with the new guests. Sonnenkamp's
countenance acquired an expression of satisfaction such as it had never
worn before, when Frau Ceres, sitting by him in the music-saloon,
said--

"I cannot conceive how it used to be before these noble ladies were
here."

One day, after Aunt Claudine had played beautifully, and had repeated a
piece twice at Eric's request, Frau Ceres said to the Mother:--

"I envy you, that you can so comprehend and enjoy all this."

She evidently plumed herself upon th