anker, who read them tranquilly, and then handed them to his two sons,
who were sitting at table with him.

Here, at this table, Eric was for the first time conscious of a change
in himself. The Banker liked to have every finished result of science
served up for him, and he brought intelligence and relish to the
enjoyment of it, as he did at the same time to a perfectly ripe
pine-apple; but Eric was not so communicative as he used to be, and no
longer felt called upon to give himself out at every demand. He kept
silence, and left the talking to others. As soon as he had finished his
comparisons of the different mythologies, the Banker, in his turn,
spoke of the effect that was produced by the rise or fall of this or
that paper; the exchange also he described as an organic existence.

Eric was a ready listener, he wanted now to be instructed by others.

The Banker's daughter-in-law, a lady of noble bearing, treated Eric and
Roland with marked cordiality, and expressed a great desire to become
acquainted with the Professorin and Manna.

Eric was surprised at being reminded of an incident that had almost
passed from his memory. This lady had heard him sing at the festival,
and said how much pleasure it would give her to hear him again, as she
sang a little herself: upon his saying, however, that he was not at
that moment at all in the mood for singing, she at once ceased from her
request, in the hope that it might, by and by, at some happier time be
granted her.

As the company were rising from table, young Weidmann and the cashier
Fassbender were announced. The host made them come in, and sit down
with the party at dessert. The young men were evidently embarrassed,
and felt it a great favor to be thus admitted into the private life of
their chief.

The gentlemen repaired to the billiard room. And the young men, as a
special favor, were allowed to smoke a cigar in the house of the chief,
even in his presence.

As Roland showed ho inclination to take part in the game, the Banker
told him to consider himself at perfect liberty to go to his room, or
to take a walk with Weidmann and Fassbender. He preferred going with
the young men to his room. He returned presently, when the gentlemen,
having finished their game, were sitting in familiar chat about the
open fire, and with many thanks announced his resolution of entering
the office for a while; only stipulating that he should not be charged
with fickleness of purpose,