nitely what he
wishes and ought to do, both in science and practical life."

Bella thought she must make some, reply, and said that young Sonnenkamp
would be fortunate to have such a guide.

"It pains me that he must enter that house."

"Yet you have recommended him."

"Yes, that's it exactly. One is punished sooner or later for
undertaking anything with half-sincerity or against his real
convictions. I have brought myself into closer relations with this Herr
Sonnenkamp, without really wishing it. In his house I always have a
feeling as if I were in a family where horse-flesh is eaten. But, good
heavens! it may be prejudice, custom; horse-flesh is also one kind of
meat. But now I am free from, anxiety for the excellent young man."

Clodwig seemed unable to cease talking of Eric; and as he recalled what
had passed, he was astonished at all that he had learned from him in so
short a time; pointing to an apple-tree in blossom, he exclaimed: "Look
at that tree in bloom, which when shaken covers every one with
blossoms, and yet its richness is unimpaired. Such is this Dournay."

Bella replied, that it must be a hard task for a man who was so spoken
and thought of to live up to the standard expected of him.

"May not such pleasure in imparting," she asked doubtfully, "be an
exaggerated self-esteem or pure vanity?"

"O no! this young man does not wish to make a show; he only wishes that
no moment of existence may be utterly wasted. He lets his active spirit
work, and he must take satisfaction in the notice and sympathy of
others; without this satisfaction, the pleasure of imparting would be
impossible. That is the faith which removes mountains of prejudice."

"Faith?" said Bella, smiling beforehand at her own nice distinction,
"it seems to me rather like the permanent embalming of a want of
faith." He very zealously endeavored to show how this was, rather, the
difficult and painful transmission of one's life.

He spoke long and eagerly. Bella appeared to listen, but hardly heard
what he said; she smiled to herself at the old diplomatist, who had
something incomprehensibly child-like, almost childish, about him. She
threw her head back proudly, conscious of her inflexible virtue, which
was strongly armed even against her husband, who wished to bring her
into constant intercourse with a young man so richly endowed.

In the mean time Eric had ridden on through the wood, filled with fresh
animation by the happy chance