if he did not stay long in the employ.

Far into the night, Roland talked with Eric, telling him how strange it
seemed to have so much guidance and protection offered him, although he
acknowledged the advantage it was to him, and the gratitude he felt
towards these gentlemen for it.

The next morning, the box of papers was taken to the vaults of the
bank. Eric and Roland stood as in a fairy tale before all this hidden
treasure. Some old recollection must have been stirred in Roland; for
he suddenly said to Eric,--

"What would Claus say if he could see all this?"

He looked in amazement at Eric, standing there so tranquil and
indifferent.

"Does it not impress you strongly too?" he said.

"Not at all; for what is all this treasure? From the top of a mountain,
you see things of much more value than this stamped metal. Houses,
fields, trees, are much more, much greater."

Roland looked disheartened. For a long time to come, he would have
nothing to do but cast accounts, and watch the money market. The full
life at the Villa, the mountains, the river, the drives, and
Mattenheim, all seemed removed to an immeasurable distance.
Nevertheless, he remained firm.

Eric took Roland to the counting-house, where the latter was assigned a
place at young Weidmann's desk.

Eric staid several days; for he wished to become acquainted with
Roland's associates. He was especially pleased with the cashier,
Fassbender's son, a young man of much discernment and youthful
freshness, active in body, and vivacious in mind. He was president of
the mercantile _turnverein_, and assiduously cultivated the love of
learning in himself and his companions.

Eric could resign the guidance of Roland to this young man with entire
confidence.

He talked much with the Banker about Clodwig. The Banker was very
lenient in his judgment of Bella, and could not refrain from
reproaching Clodwig with having married again: he had deceived himself,
and allowed Bella to be deceived; for the latter had really believed
that she could find pleasure in a quiet life, and relinquish all the
privileges of youth; and it was the smothered passion for adventure
which had driven her to this extreme.

Eric listened, but said little. He even felt it his duty to tell the
Banker that he had got over his old zeal for imparting knowledge, and
was no longer in a condition to give the total results of his thoughts
and study.

The Banker considered this perfectly natural