ittle hump-backed driver, who always led the talk, now held the
first place, and naturally spoke first. He informed his companions that
to-day Sonnenkamp was to be made a count, yes, perhaps even a prince,
for he had more money than a prince. Unluckily, the first hack was just
then taken by a stranger, and the little driver deeply regretted that
he could not be on hand when Herr Sonnenkamp was coming out. He
recommended the others to give the Count a cheer when he was getting
into the carriage.

But it was a long while before Herr Sonnenkamp came down out of the
hotel, for he was walking up and down the spacious hall, clad in black,
with white cravat, and with the order on his breast. The Cabinetsrath
was walking by his side; he said that he could well understand that
Herr Sonnenkamp should be very much excited, but that he would be only
so much the more easy in mind at noon. Sonnenkamp was all the time
biting his lips, and more than once changed color.

"You are well, are you not?" asked the Cabinetsrath.

Sonnenkamp said yes; he could not say that that bare thumb of his was
so painful. When he was not looking at the hand, he had a sensation
as if the thumb were swelling up into a monstrous size, and the
pulse-beats in it felt like the blows of a red-hot hammer.

He examined his hand frequently, and felt comforted when he found that
he was suffering under a delusion.

Lootz came. Sonnenkamp took him aside, and he informed him that
Professor Crutius regretted that he was unable to pay him a visit,
being obliged at that moment to set about preparing the evening
edition.

"Did you bring the morning edition with you?"

"No, it will not be issued until eleven o'clock."

"Why didn't you wait for it? it is nearly eleven now."

"I thought that you might want something else, sir, before going up to
the castle."

"Very well, give me my overcoat."

Joseph was standing near at hand all ready with it; Sonnenkamp took
leave of Roland and Pranken, who were going to ride out with some
companions; he requested them to be back at the hotel at twelve o'clock
precisely.

For the last time the commoner Sonnenkamp descended those steps, to
ascend them next as a Baron. The Cabinetsrath walked by his side.

When he entered the carriage below, the hack-drivers, as they had been
recommended, wanted to raise a cheer, but they could not bring it out:
it was of no use to try without the dwarf who knew how to lead off;
they stood a