ng; he was still too worldly in his views, but he hoped,
however, in union with Manna, to lead a life devoted to the highest of
ail interests.

With quiet attention, frequently closing his eyes, and again opening
them quickly, the Dean listened to the story.

At last Pranken paused, and the reverend father said:--

"That, I suppose, is the introduction. I must now tell you on my part
that I know this Herr Sonnenkamp and his daughter. I was staying not
long ago with a brother priest in the town which is part of the same
parish with Villa Eden--is not the place so called? I have seen the
maiden; it was then reported that she was going to become a nun. I have
also seen the park and the house; everything is very stately, very
beautiful. And now I beg of you, proceed and tell me, without any
further digression, what you wish from me."

Pranken went on to say rapidly, that in conjunction with the
Cabinetsrath he had brought matters to such a point that Sonnenkamp was
at this very hour receiving a patent of nobility.

Again he paused, but the Reverend father asked no more questions, but
simply looked at him inquiringly.

Fastening his gaze upon the table-cover, Pranken now went on to tell
what he knew of Sonnenkamp's past life; he had, up to this moment,
believed that he might regard it with indifference, but at the present
time--just since yesterday--when Sonnenkamp and his family were to be
made of equal rank with himself, it let him rest no longer.

"I don't understand you," said the Dean. "Do you find yourself
overburdened in your conscience, because you, although you knew what
the man is, still endeavored successfully to procure for him an
honorable and distinguished preferment? in a word, his elevation to the
rank of noble?"

"Yes and no," replied Pranken, "I am not clear on that point. I could
say that I am innocent, for I have never been asked my opinion on the
matter, and still----"

"Go on, I think you are on the right path; 'and still'--you were going
to say."

Pranken resumed his speech like a pupil in examination, and collecting
his thoughts said:--

"Thank Heaven that there are living beings sent into the world; to whom
we can and must tell what we do not acknowledge to ourselves. I must
still, however, confess that my open and undisguised relation to Herr
Sonnenkamp is perhaps something more than an expression of an opinion."

"Right, quite right! You have come to me then, to learn, at the very
l