arrived, and Eric summoned him.

"Very well: now put my question."

"Will you repeat your question to me once more exactly?"

"How long since you became so slow of comprehension? This then. Tell
Herr Sonnenkamp, or Banfield, that if, before twelve hours are over, he
does not let me know where he is, I shall take his silence as a proof
that--No! ask--outright--whether my sister is with him."

Pranken's lips trembled: he had grown sadly old in these few days. Here
he was obliged to stand and beg for information from Sonnenkamp;
information on what a subject, and at whose hands!

"Will you have the goodness," he added, "to send the answer to me at
the parsonage?"

He left the room, mounted his horse, and rode away.

"Medusa sends greeting to Europe," was the answer Eric received.

As he was about to start for home, the Doctor came up: he also had
heard of Bella's flight.

"That is a master-piece!" he cried. "Herr Sonnenkamp, with the most
skilful diplomacy, could have done nothing better than that. Bella's
flight and fall will eclipse every thing that he himself has done. This
will divert tongues from him: all is eclipsed by this new development.
His children, too, will be freed from the old scandal; for the fact of
Bella Pranken's eloping with him will count for more than years of
selling slaves. From this time we shall hear of nothing but that: all
else is obliterated."

Eric did not believe that the fugitives had yet started for America.

Immediately on his return to the Villa, he was summoned to Manna.

"Have you news of him?" she said. "Is he living?"

"Yes."

"Is he alone?"

"No."

"That, too, must we have to bear!"

"Does your mother know?"

"She only knows that father has fled; and she keeps crying, 'Henry,
Henry, come back!' For hours, she has kept saying those words over and
over. It is incredible how her strength holds out. O Eric! when we were
in your father's library, Roland said, 'In all these books is there a
fate to compare with ours?'"

All Eric's attempts to soothe her were fruitless.

CHAPTER II.

THE CHILDREN OF MAMMON.

Roland arrived, and Herr Weidmann with him. He had heard of his
father's flight, but not of Bella's. A great change had come over the
boy in these four days, especially in the lines about his mouth: its
childish expression had changed into one of pride and sadness, and his
whole character had gain