married couple, for the
steamboat which was coming was called the "Beethoven," and the steward
of the "Beethoven" had married the "Lorelei."

Eric and Manna sat by their mother, holding her hand; and she said to
them consolingly:--

"Eric, spare your life; but should you fall in the great cause, I shall
mourn, but I will not bewail your loss."

"Mother, I am confident of returning home alive out of this struggle;
and yet, if I should fall, mother, be steadfast: I have lived the
highest life, through you, through my father's, and through my Manna's,
love."

The Mother silently pressed his hand.

Now came the Doctor and the Justice with their wives, and Lina with her
husband. The Doctor put the finishing touch by imparting the
intelligence, agitating to all, that Pranken had entered the Papal
army.

Weidmann was much moved by this news; he exhorted Eric to keep
uppermost in his thoughts, even above the grief of parting, the
wonderful way in which all this had come to pass: Pranken there and he
here. He expatiated on this with emphasis, and succeeded in his
intention of dispelling personal sorrow by the consideration of
universal views. That which this man and this youth had done in
accordance with their own choice and the leadings of destiny, _that_
was no longer at the disposal of their own individual free will, but
was absorbed into, and had become a part of the great whole.

And now the real mirthfulness of Rhenish life began to display itself.
The glee-club made its appearance with a band of music, and clear songs
rang out from the pretty and graceful steamer which now came down the
stream. The cannon were fired; the boat stopped; and hurried partings
were made. Eric, Manna, and Roland kissed the Mother, who cried:--

"Be faithful to the end."

They were soon on board.

The steamer had pushed off, when a cry was heard. The dog Griffin had
broken loose from the Cooper's hold upon his collar, sprung into the
Rhine, and was swimming after the boat. She stopped once more; the dog
was hoisted out of the water and taken along with them.

The party on shore waved their farewell signals, and were answered from
the boat, as long as they could see each other; but for a long time
after this, the gaze of the departing ones lingered on the Villa.

What will become of the house? What shall they be when they return?
What kind of life will there be established?

As Manna stood leaning on Eric, something came softly u