am I detached from you and from
every one here."

He looked Manna full in the face; and then closed by saying,--

"Now we are parted forever."

He drew on his gloves quietly, buttoned them, took up his hat, bowed,
and left the room.

Manna looked after him with a humble glance, and then seized Eric's
hand. The two stood before Sonnenkamp, who had covered his face with
his hand, and who now said,--

"Are you waiting for my blessing? To be horse-whipped by a man like me
is no disgrace; and such a man as I am can give no blessing. Go, go! or
have I no longer any right to command, that you remain so motionless?"

"Herr Sonnenkamp," Eric began, "I might say, and it would be to some
extent true, that I intended those severe words for Herr von Pranken,
and not for you; but, as they were also applicable to you, I ask your
pardon. I was not master of myself, and it was wrong in me to provoke
and grieve you so sorely; not merely because you are Manna's father,
but because you are a man who has had to endure so much. It was sinful
in me"--

"Very well, very well; I know all about sermonizing; it's sufficient.
And has not your whole life been a lie? Have you not been a thief? Did
I not ask you if you had any such views when I was conducting you over
the house? And could you so long play the hypocrite and retail your
fine speeches? Curse upon all faith in mankind! I had faith in you, I
believed you incapable of a breach of trust; and you've been a
hypocrite from that first hour I went with you over the house until the
present moment. As to the future--I've torn away the mask."

"Herr Sonnenkamp," replied Eric, "I have wrestled long and desperately
with myself, before yielding to this love; but it is stronger than I
am, stronger than every thing besides. That I am not seeking for your
wealth, I prove by declaring to you that I shall take none of your
possessions. I can add no farther assurance; for if you do not believe
my simple word, how are you to believe an oath!"

"Indeed? Then you expect still to be believed? Yes, fine, noble, good,
magnanimous man, I possess a great deal, but not what you ask,--faith
in you. I had this faith once, it was my last illusion. I don't swear
it; but I know that it's my last illusion."

"I entreat Roland's father and Manna's father"--Eric's voice
trembled,--"I entreat him, as a child, to be just towards me. You will
yet learn that I spoke the truth at that time, and speak it now."

"Tr