he Professorin declined; and
Sonnenkamp had some trouble in hiding his vexation, when he found that
no persuasions could change her decision. He took leave politely, but
out of humor, and Roland promised to leave Griffin with her as a guard.

The Professorin felt that the boy wanted to be doing something for her
while he was away, and to sacrifice for her something which he cared
for.

"Life will go well with you." she said, as she pressed his hand.

Roland felt a thrill through his whole being; he had received one of
the holiest of blessings, though it was given in such simple words.

The Professorin had promised to come that evening to the villa, where
they were all to watch out the old year.

When she came, she found great black chests in the hall; in Frau Ceres'
parlor all the chairs were covered with clothes, and Frau Ceres was as
happy as a child, directing everything with an activity never seen in
her before. At last they all repaired to the dining-room and sat down
to tea.

All felt that a great break had come in their life; while the
conversation went on easily and continually no one noticed the time,
and all believed that it would be very hard work to keep awake till
midnight. The Professorin felt the strain, the haunting ghost, if one
may so call it, of the impending separation; they were, in fact, no
longer here, no longer together. She said more of this than she really
meant to, and told them of her entrance into the great world.

Frau Ceres was very attentive, and kept begging her to go on. Suddenly
she rose and asked her husband to leave the room with her. Sonnenkamp
soon reappeared, and begged the Professorin to do his dear little wife
a favor. She declared herself quite ready; and it seemed she was to
play the Princess, Eric the Court-Marshal, Sonnenkamp the Prince, and
Aunt Claudine the Mistress of Ceremonies. The Aunt resisted the
arrangement, and blushed deeply; but the Professorin persuaded her, and
managed to make her take the _role_ of the Princess.

After a little waiting, the folding-doors were opened. Eric stood at
the door with a wand, and led Frau Ceres, who glittered and beamed in
diamonds and pearls, to the throne of the Aunt.

The Aunt condescendingly dropped very slightly the fan which she held,
and Frau Ceres made a truly courtly reverence.

"Come nearer," said the Aunt. "It is very good in you to take up your
abode in our country."

"It was my husband's wish," answered Frau