't it so? I see
it in your countenance. I hope, however, that you will not--no, be
quite at ease, my dear, good friend; rejoice with me and for our
Roland."

Eric looked up now freely. There is certainly some mistake here, for
the man could not be so composed, if he had anything to dread.

Sonnenkamp continued:--

"You will remain our friends, you and your noble mother."

He held out his hand; now again Eric shuddered all over. The ring on
his thumb--is that too a mystery, a deception? Sonnenkamp could not but
feel that there was something wrong; he suddenly drew back the
outstretched hand, as if a wild beast had extended its claw towards it,
but said with great composure:--

"I know you are an opposer of election to the nobility."

"No; more than that, I wanted to say something," interposed Eric; but
Sonnenkamp interrupted him hastily.

"Excuse me if I do not wish to hear any more."

Suddenly shifting the conversation, he continued in an earnest tone,
saying that Eric had now only the finishing stroke to put to his work,
by guiding and fortifying Roland into a true appreciation of his new
position and his new name.

"It would be a fine thing if you should take the Professorship; I would
then let Roland, until we ourselves moved into town, and perhaps even
then, occupy the same residence with you; you would remain his friend
and instructor, and everything would go on excellently."

With great frankness, he added, that he desired, since he, as a father,
was not in the position to see to it himself, that Roland should be
wisely and discreetly led to a personal knowledge of that thing which
men call vice; this alone would preserve him from excess.

Eric remained silent; he had come with warnings, and full of anxiety;
now the whole affair was ended, now nothing remained to be done; yes,
through Sonnenkamp's own acknowledgment that he was mistaken for Herr
Banfield, every objection seemed to be put at rest. For the sake of
saying something, Eric asked where the Major was. With great
satisfaction, Sonnenkamp replied that the building of the castle had
fortunately so far progressed, that they would be able on their return
from the capital to open it; the Major had just gone to the castle to
make the necessary arrangements.

"Have you seen your mother yet?"

"No."

"She has, I am sorry to say, sent word to me that she is a little
unwell, and will not be able to partake in our rejoicing."

Eric hastened to hi