came again, and
Pranken with her; he prayed with the Sister of Mercy for the
dangerously sick man, doing it without shyness or display, with
unembarrassed air.

Eric made a sign to Bella to be very quiet. She sat silent for a time,
and then withdrew with Pranken.

Eric struggled with sleep and weariness. The morning dawned, and
flooded the chamber with its ruddy light. Eric went to the Sister of
Mercy, and told her that the long sleep of their patient made him
uneasy: he had leaned over him, and could hear no breathing; but
perhaps it was on account of his own exhaustion.

They went to Clodwig's bed-side, and bent over him--death had come to
him in his sleep.

CHAPTER XV.

A GOOD CONCLUSION TO A BAD RESULT.

Eric had Pranken called, and charged him with the duty of informing his
sister; but Pranken insisted that they should let Bella sleep as long
as she would, as she needed the strength. So the dawning day grew
brighter and brighter, and the Sister of Mercy sat praying by the
bedside of him who had fallen asleep.

Eric went down into the garden, where he met the Banker: he silently
gave him his hand, and they walked on together without speaking. Eric
was called in to Bella, who was upon the sofa, weeping. The Sister of
Mercy had broken the news to her when she woke. Bella had been with the
corpse, and now was mourning loud and immoderately. Eric consoled her,
requesting that she would excuse his absence for a few hours, as he
must see how they all were at the Villa, and would return by evening.

He rode homewards.

At the foot of the mountain, Claus met him with his son, the Cooper;
and the field-guard cried,--

"Good luck, Herr Captain! good luck for you; and you are good luck for
us too. We've just bought the Carp Inn for Ferdinand. Could there be
any thing better? I'm father of an inn."

Eric hushed him, but could not get in a word; for Claus exclaimed,--

"Do you know that now Sevenpiper's going to let his daughter marry
Ferdinand? and it's all owing to you."

"Me?"

"Yes, indeed. If the rich Sonnenkamp can let his daughter marry a
teacher, Sevenpiper can give his daughter to the Cooper. Isn't that so?
O Herr Captain! You are a good luck for us all. And here, Herr Captain,
here's my hand: I'll drink not a drop more after to-day, except when
I'm thirsty: mayn't I quench my thirst? Thank heaven, I've got a very
good thirst. But at the wedding