to the telegraph
station, whence he sent a message to his agent in Paris, stating
exactly his plan, and ordering the answer to be returned to him at the
Capital. Animated with fresh courage, full of contempt for the whole
world and of pride in his own fertile invention, he drove back to the
hotel. That same evening he received the intelligence that the singer
would come. Pranken was with him when the message was received.

Sonnenkamp was anxious to have the world at once informed of this
extraordinary entertainment which he was able to offer them; it should
be announced in the court journal. But Pranken was opposed to any such
public announcement, and advised that one and another of the guests
should be confidentially informed of the pleasure in store for them;
and then every one would be flattered by the confidence, and would duly
spread the news abroad. Pranken himself undertook to communicate the
extraordinary intelligence to some of his favorite companions at the
military club.

The singer came, and exercised a greater force of attraction than the
Frau Professorin could have done.

Bella appeared early on the evening of the ball, and congratulated
Sonnenkamp on his great success; and in fact nothing was wanting to the
brilliancy of the entertainment. The popular Prince appeared with his
wife, and the rooms were filled with the cream of the society of the
capital; the American Consul-general, with his wife and two daughters,
was present also; everywhere were heard expressions of admiration of
the host, and thanks for his generosity. Frau Ceres alone was somewhat
out of temper at having her own splendor eclipsed by the wonderful
talent of the singer, who drew the whole company about her. The Prince
talked with her a full half hour, while with Frau Ceres he spoke but a
few minutes.

Sonnenkamp moved among his guests with a feeling of triumph in his
heart. Outwardly he affected great modesty, but inwardly he despised
them all, saying to himself,--

A handful of gold can work wonders; honor, distinction in society,
everything, can be had for gold.

Two topics engrossed the conversation of the capital the next day: Herr
Sonnenkamp's ball, the like of which the city had never seen, and the
death of the young husband of Fraeulein von Endlich, news of which had
been received the evening before, but had been kept back in order not
to deprive the family and numerous connections of the Court Marshal
from enjoying Sonne