e jerked his hand as if
throwing something away. This readiness always to return the blow, and
this assured response, put him out of countenance.

They heard Pranken and Fraeulein Perini walking up and down in a
side-walk.

"You must take care to stand in good relations with Fraeulein Perini,"
Sonnenkamp said, as he rose; "for she is also--she is of some
importance, and is not very easily fathomed, and she has one great
advantage over most persons I know,--she has that most valuable trait
of never indulging in any whims."

"I am sorry to say that I cannot boast of any such trait, and I ask
your pardon in advance if I ever--"

"It is not necessary. But your friend, Pranken, understands very well
how to be on good terms with Fraeulein Perini."

Eric considered that truth demanded of him to inform Sonnenkamp that he
had no right to call Pranken a friend of his. They were in the military
school together, and acquainted in the garrison, but their ideas had
never chimed together, and his own views in life had always been wholly
different from those of a rich elder son; he acknowledged the kindness
with which Pranken had facilitated his entrance into the family of
Sonnenkamp, but the truth must be spoken in spite of all feelings, of
gratitude. Sonnenkamp again whistled inaudibly; he was evidently amazed
at this courageous openness of mind, and the thought occurred to him
that Eric was a subtle diplomatist, he himself considering it the chief
peculiarity of diplomacy not to make any confession of being under
obligation of any sort. This man must be either the noblest of
enthusiasts or the shrewdest of worldlings.

Eric felt that this confession was untimely, but he could not
anticipate that this communication would counteract the whole
impression previously made upon Sonnenkamp.

On meeting Pranken and Fraeulein Perini, Sonnenkamp greeted the Baron in
a very friendly way, and took his arm.

Eric joined Fraeulein Perini. She always carried some nice hand-work;
with very small instruments and with a fine thread, she completed with
surprising quickness a delicate piece of lace-work. It was the first
time that Eric had spoken with her, and he expressed his great
admiration for her pretty, delicate work. But immediately it was fixed
as firmly as if there had been a written covenant between them,--We
shall avoid each other as much as possible, and if we are placed in the
same circle, we shall conduct ourselves just as if th