combined the repose of
the country with the animation of the city. The business life of the
owner was in the heart of the city: here he was his own master.
Everywhere throughout the richly furnished house were marks of
refinement and elegance.

To Eric's surprise, he found the Banker in the great library where were
several beautiful statues. The man, who, at Wolfsgarten, at the time of
Clodwig's death, had kept so modestly in the background, here in his
domestic life presided over a rich and solid establishment.

After a short explanation of the object of their visit, the Banker took
his guests to his office. Here, in his business activity, he seemed
another man, or rather two men. He had, so to speak, an office nature
and a home nature: in his own house friendly, amiable, generous, and
communicative; at his office chary of words, curt, decided, and
cautious.

He declined receiving all these valuable papers himself, but advised
their being taken to the city bank for deposit: as an additional
precaution, the coupons should be separated from the bonds, and kept by
themselves.

The Banker advised that Roland should acquire some insight of his own
into business and money matters. As he would one day have the
management of such a large property, it would be desirable for him to
enter some business house for a while; otherwise he would always be in
a measure dependent upon others. He offered to make an exception in
Roland's favor, and, contrary to his custom, receive the young man into
his own office.

Eric assented, seeing what an advantage this would be; but Roland
looked embarrassed. The Banker now produced Weidmann's letter in which
the same desire was expressed.

Roland cast a timid look about the room, where several young men were
standing at desks writing, or were walking to and fro. Should he be
standing there too? What did these strangers mean by disposing of him
so, and wishing to give him a career?

All this passed rapidly through his mind, and, when he was asked his
opinion, he replied,--

"I am grateful not only for the kindness, but for the frankness, of
Herr Weidmann and yourself in speaking so openly with me."

The Banker sent word through a speaking-tube, that he desired Herr
Rudolph Weidmann to come up to his room.

Weidmann's youngest son, who was a clerk in the banking house, soon
entered.

There was a general introduction: the young man bowed to Eric, and
shook hands with Roland. The Banke