door, and
out stepped Herr Sonnenkamp followed by Fraeulein Perini, and lastly by
Frau Ceres, enveloped in the costliest furs.

The coachmen before the house forgot their agreement, and raised
no cheers for Sonnenkamp. Amidst utter silence he and his family
entered the vestibule, where the bearded porter in a laced coat and
broad-brimmed hat presented his, silver-headed cane. He stood
motionless as a statue; only his eyes sparkled. His face assumed a
satisfied expression as they ascended the warmed, lighted, and
flower-hung stair-case. Frau Ceres was not in good humor, having slept
almost the whole way; she sat down before the open grate, and consented
after a while to have her furs taken off.

Sonnenkamp inspected all the rooms, saying, when he came to those
intended for Roland and Eric,--

"All the comforts of this world have their price; those who have
nothing must turn coachmen, and freeze down there, waiting for a
passenger."

He returned to, his wife's boudoir, where Frau Ceres was still sitting
motionless on a luxurious seat before the fire.

"What shall we do to-day?" she asked languidly.

"There is still time to go to the theatre."

"Dress myself over again? I won't."

Here, happily, the Cabinetsraethin was announced.

She was greeted with words of welcome, and very welcome she was. She
apologized for not having been on the spot to receive her dear friends
and neighbors upon their arrival, as she had intended, but a visit from
Countess Graben had detained her. They thanked her, and were enchanted
at her obliging politeness.

Eric and Roland were summoned to receive the Cadet, who had come also.

"Where is your mother?" inquired the Cabinetsraethin. "She is coming
presently, I hope?"

Eric did not answer, and Sonnenkamp quietly interposed, saying that the
Frau Professorin was unwilling to give up her country-life.

"That will cause general regret," returned the Cabinetsraethin, smiling
as if she were saying something very amusing. "All the beau-monde are
depending upon having this amiable, witty, universally esteemed lady
another season among them."

"She must come," said Frau Ceres.

Sonnenkamp was sorely vexed. Did the whole glory of his house depend
upon the esteem in which this woman was held?

His displeasure was increased by the lady's adding in a confidential
tone,--

"The accomplishment of our beautiful and noble plan will be much
hindered and delayed by the absence of the Frau Pr