t making such unusual pauses.

At last, bringing the words out with an effort, he said:--

"You know that I am about to receive a title?"

"No, I did not know it."

"You did not? Is it possible? Did Roland give you no hint?"

"A hint indeed of some secret, but I strictly forbade him to relate,
even by a breath, any confidence that had been reposed in him."

"Good. You're a good teacher. I am grateful to you, sincerely grateful.
I will be yet more so. You shall have proof of it. To be open with you,
Captain Dournay--you can give me substantial help by furthering this
plan of mine."

"I?"

"Yes, you. You are the friend of our noble Count Wolfsgarten. He is
already one of our family, but he always declines to discuss this
matter, when I, or any of my friends, address him upon the subject. You
know me, my dear Captain; you have watched my life, and your eye is
keen; I have a right to expect that, with all my faults, of which,
unhappily, I have my share, you will judge of me justly and charitably.
You are a man who will act as he thinks. You understand me?"

"Not entirely, I confess."

"Plainly, then, in a few days I shall give a rural fete at Heilingthal.
I will take the Jew with me, and you can go with your friend
Wolfsgarten, and can easily discover what sort of opinion he will give
of me, or has already given."

"Would not Herr von Pranken, or the Countess, or the Cabinetsraethin, be
better suited for such an office?"

"No; in that case I should not trouble you with it. Count Wolfsgarten
has declined expressing any opinion, saying always in his pedantic--I
mean in his strictly honorable manner, that a judgment which is to be
expressed in confidence, to the Prince should be made known to no one
else. In a few days the Prince will depart; he is favorably disposed.
You will therefore discover this for me, dear Dournay, will you not? It
will be so easy for you!"

"Herr Sonnenkamp," replied Eric, "you had the kindness to say a few
moments ago that I did right in forbidding Roland to betray a secret.
How shall I----"

"Ah, my dear Dournay," interrupted Sonnenkamp, "we may reasonably allow
ourselves many things that we should forbid a young person to do. I
respect, I honor your truthfulness. I acknowledge the great sacrifice
you would make in rendering me this service fully, thoroughly, but you
will make the sacrifice, will you not?"

Eric tried to decline the task. Sonnenkamp threw his head back, and
whistl