thing but wretched underlings.

Manna especially was restless; and today, for the first time, she was
confidential towards Pranken.

She expressed her satisfaction that the whole household had such a
noble support to lean upon.

Pranken was freshly inspirited by these words,

"You will like being at Court," he said to Manna.

And Sonnenkamp, who was standing not far off, added immediately:--

"Yes, my child, you will receive delight and honor at the side of the
most honored and most beloved nobleman."

Manna cast down her eyes. Then Roland came up, dressed completely in
white.

"Just see how handsome he is," said Manna to Pranken.

Roland was full of confidence, and exhorted Manna not to be so timid:
their royal Highnesses were very gracious, and after the first words,
one had the feeling that he was with his own comrades.

Lootz was stationed on the flat roof of the house to look out, and now
he came hurriedly down, exclaiming:--

"They are coming!" They separated as if no one was expected.

Two carriages drove into the courtyard. Sonnenkamp hastened down the
outside steps, but stumbled on the lowest one, and had to hold on by
the railing.

What is the meaning of this?

A black face!

Where does this come from?

"Come! Come!" cried Pranken, who was hurrying after him. "Their royal
Highnesses are already getting up."

He reached the carriage at just the right moment, and had the honor of
being able to take the hand of the Prince as he was getting out of the
carriage. The Princess got out at the other side, with Pranken's
assistance, and expressed in gracious words how much satisfaction she
took in being able for once to see the place, and the man in his own
house, whence proceeded so much that was excellent and beneficent to
the people.

The Princess, who cherished a special zeal for the benevolent
institutions of the land, considered herself bound to express her
thanks for Sonnenkamp's generous expenditures. She would have preferred
that he should have devoted his munificent outlays to institutions
already established by her, instead of founding new ones. It was a
decided oversight of Pranken's not to have taken that into
consideration.

There was a slight tone of dissatisfaction in the remark of the
Princess, that she was always glad when new institutions were founded.

Frau Ceres had approached, accompanied by Manna.

The Princess addressed a few words to Frau Ceres, and then said to
Mann