ood among the other distinguished visitors, making the
last salutations beside the royal coach, and received his share of the
Sovereign's gracious, parting glance. The Cabinetsraethin said to him,
as he was about to take his place in the second carriage,--

"Your cause stands well, in spite of the very learned and honorable
Court Wolfsgarten."

The departure of the court was, to a large circle of the visitors, like
the withdrawal of the bride from the marriage dance; the dancing goes
on, there is an exaggerated assumption of gaiety, but the main point of
interest is wanting.

Crowds of people came and went; the lively circle, of which Bella
formed the centre, lost every day one or another of its members;
Sonnenkamp was often obliged, against his will, to grace a departure
with his offering of flowers. Bella, and Clodwig too, now prepared to
depart. Eric had the satisfaction of seeing that a close attachment had
been formed between Clodwig and his friend and teacher, Professor
Einsiedel.

The last few days were a pleasant relief to Eric and Roland, after the
life of excitement that had gone before. They took even the loss of
Clodwig and Bella lightly, for they still had Professor Einsiedel.
Sonnenkamp and Frau Ceres, on the contrary, were sorely out of spirits;
they felt like persons who have outlived their day.

Sonnenkamp compared himself to a bouquet that has not found a
purchaser. What is it at evening? It is put in water through the night;
the withered flowers are pulled off the next morning, and it is again
exposed for sale. Will the success be any better this time? It must be
tried.

The men and women, who, as long as Bella was present had been their
constant associates, now saluted them formally, and joined themselves
to new comers. They often met Professor Crutius in company with a
number of Americans who were at the Baths, and who almost always looked
curiously at Sonnenkamp. Crutius himself hardly acknowledged his
friendly greetings.

The morning fixed for departure came at last; Sonnenkamp and his
retinue set off in three carriages. There were fewer friends to bid
them good-bye than they had expected, yet still the carriages were
adorned with flowers; there was a wreath upon the roof of Sonnenkamp's
coach, and even the spokes of the wheels were twined with garlands; the
postilion also wore a wreath. All had the appearance of being done by
friends, but was in reality the work of Lootz.

The party br