shall not say it again, and certainly not to you."

The distress which the Professorin had experienced at the first
interview with Frau Ceres was felt anew. She believed now that she knew
the suffering of the dark-eyed woman, who, sometimes listless, and
sometimes restless as a lizard, was troubled by a thought which she
could not reveal, and could not wholly keep back.

Like a child to whom a story is told, she was urged by Frau Ceres to
tell her over and over again about the court fetes, which alone seemed
to awaken any interest. Frau Ceres was delighted to hear the same
things repeated.

But the mother took care to show that a princess has a special
employment for every hour, and that a regular performance of duty was
of great importance. She spoke earnestly, and came back often to the
consideration, that a woman like Frau Ceres, born in a Republic, could
have not the remotest conception of all this, and that it was like
being suddenly removed into another century.

"I understand everything that you and your son say," Frau Ceres stated,
"but what other people say, except the Major, I hear it indeed, but I
don't know where I am. Just think, I was afraid of you at first."

"Of me? No one was ever afraid of me before."

"I will tell you about it some other time. Ah, I am sick, I am always
sick."

The Mother did not succeed in arousing Frau Ceres out of her life of
mere alternate sleeping and waking.

Sonnenkamp met the Mother with demonstrations of deepest respect, and
seemed to practise upon her his airs and attitudes of genteel behavior.
He delicately hinted that he had faithfully kept the agreement, and had
never asked her what his wife said and desired; and now he would only
beg to be permitted to make one inquiry, whether Frau Ceres had never
spoken of Manna.

"Certainly, but very briefly."

"And may I not be allowed to know what this brief communication was?"

"I don't know myself; it is still a riddle. But, I beseech you, do not
lead me to disloyalty and breach of trust."

"Breach of trust." cried Sonnenkamp with trembling lips.

"Ah, it was not the right word. Your wife has confided nothing to me,
but I believe,--I pray you not to mistake me,--I suspect, she is
secretly afraid of Fraeulein Perini, or is vexed or angry with her. As I
said before, I am very far from meaning to blame Fraeulein Perini, and I
almost repent of having said as much as I have."

"You can be at rest on that point. My wif