de out at the usual hour, but he did not follow his usual route,
and without being aware of it, he cast amiable glances upon all the
people he met; he had a new accession of benevolent feeling. He rode to
the castle, and looked smilingly around, involuntarily fancying to
himself with what delight the knights formerly returned home from their
raids; they were strong, fierce, courageous men.

Not far from the ruins he turned aside into the wood, for he saw that a
large flag was floating over the battlements of the only completed
tower, and there were no men visible. He wandered about in the wood,
leading his horse by the bridle. He himself could not have told what
there passed through his mind. Here walks a man in the wood, silent,
alone, lost in thought, and this evening hundreds and hundreds of men
will honor him with cheers.

The Major lay in wait for him as he was returning, and insisted upon
his going home with him. The Major had the air of a groomsman, who has
made every preparation for the wedding, and now, confident that all the
requisite arrangements have been made, retires with the bridegroom into
the quiet apartment until he shall be summoned by the full band.

The dinner to-day was not so well served as usual, but Sonnenkamp took
no notice of it, not wanting to show that he knew of the preparations
for the evening celebration.

In the afternoon there were present the neighbouring families of the
Cabinetsrath, the Justice and his wife, the Doctor, and the Major, who
had absented himself for a brief period and now appeared with all his
decorations. Many others came also; even the young widow, the daughter
of Herr von Endlich, was there, in her widow's weeds, having come to
spend a few weeks in the summer with her parents in the country.
Pranken had invited the best society in the vicinity, for he knew that
this public recognition of his renown was very agreeable to Herr
Sonnenkamp. All were present, however, as if by accident, and
Sonnenkamp allowed this tacitly understood lie to pass.

Pranken was particularly attentive to the beautiful young widow, and
made the most of his position as son of the house. He was glad, as he
once caught Manna's glance, that she had an opportunity of perceiving
what temptations and charms were offered to him; and the words which he
made use of in introducing Manna to the young widow seemed to him very
well chosen. He said,--

"You, gracious lady, and Fraeulein Sonnenkamp are