s side,
and said,--

"These are pleasant hours, my son, in which we can look out of the
window, and know that the rain is quickening and refreshing all
things. A spirit who has awakened and refreshed the souls of many
men, a benefactor who has renovated the being of numbers of his
fellow-creatures, must experience in tranquil and elevated hours a
similar joy. Rejoice that this happiness may be yours also. If I am not
here to welcome you back from the war, know that I feel this on your
behalf, and be thankful for it."

"Is the crisis, then, so near?"

"Yes. I have by me a letter from my nephew, and I tell you that the
time has come."

Roland shuddered. He seized Weidmann's arm, and held it fast.

Weidmann continued,--

"My nephew writes, it is true, that they think the war will not last
long; and that those who have enlisted hope to return to their homes in
a few weeks. I think otherwise. You will be quite early enough for the
great struggle. Rejoice that you are prepared for it beforehand."

Roland hastened to Eric; and the latter said,--

"Give me your hand, Roland: I go with you!"

Adams approached them with flashing eyes, and cried,--

"We will all go,--all."

They embraced one another, as though the world's deliverance had
arrived.

They passed a sleepless night; and, on the morrow, Roland and Eric rode
to the Villa. They made known their resolution, and Manna responded,--

"I shall go too."

But she gave Eric a look which was perfectly intelligible to him; for
it said, "You approve, then, of the son's taking the field against the
father."

Eric told her that he had sent by way of Paris a notice to the
Confederate journal which Sonnenkamp had designated, couched in terms
which he alone would understand, to the effect that Roland would join
the land-forces of the Union, hoping that he should not encounter his
father, who was probably in the naval service.

Eric found it difficult to restrain Roland, and to convince him that
days must elapse before their departure. They went together to the
Major, who said,--

"It is all right! Now you must join! Brother Weidmann told me long
since that you were to be initiated before engaging in this
philanthropic struggle. And now let me tell you that our bond is
especially effective in war. You will receive a sign; and, if you make
that sign, no enemy, even though his weapon were raised against you,
can kill you face to face; and you cannot kill any one who