er of his left
hand, as he always did when about to bring forth a piece of wisdom;
"yes, yes; when it works well, it is all right. Yes, yes; Herr
Sonnenkamp, when it works well, it is right, this sending a young man
into the army and a young woman into a convent, for a while. When it
works well, it is all right."

All nodded assent, and the Major was enchanted at having begun the day
by saying a good thing. But he soon changed his tone to one of
complaint at Roland's absence; he did not deserve his happiness,
keeping out of the way on such an anniversary as this, such a beautiful
spring day, too, that if they had ordered it expressly it could not
have been finer. He was just about to relate the fearful adventure in
the special train, which took place just a year ago that very day, when
Roland and Eric at last appeared.

Manna embraced her brother affectionately, as did Pranken also, but
Roland quickly disengaged himself from the latter's grasp, and said to
Manna:--

"Shake hands with Herr Eric too, for this is his birthday amongst us. A
year ago to-day he became mine, or I his; did you not, Eric? Give him
your hand."

Manna offered Eric her hand, and for the first time the two looked one
another full in the face, in the broad daylight.

"Thank you for the kindness you have shown my brother," said Manna.

Eric was much struck by Manna's appearance; she seemed to him a
wonderful mixture of gentle melancholy and lofty pride; her features
expressed a cold indifference; her motions were full of grace; there
was a bewitching softness in her voice, but mingled with a tone of
sadness.

Without knowing or wishing it, Manna became the central point of
attraction; even on this fete-day of Roland's, all seemed to turn to
her.

Presently the party adjourned to the great hall, where were Eric's
mother and aunt, Fraeulein Perini and Frau Ceres. Frau Ceres had such
fear of the morning air that all the windows were tight shut. She was
yawning when Roland entered, but embraced and kissed him. The
Professorin also embraced him, saying:--

"I wish you happiness; that is, I wish for you a constantly growing
appreciation of the happiness that has been granted you, and a
knowledge how to use it."

Sonnenkamp shrugged his shoulders at these words, and said to Pranken,
by whom he was standing:--

"How this woman is always trying to say something out of the common
course! She has actually forgotten at last how to say a simple
go