's account,
but on my daughter's."

"I do not comprehend," Eric replied.

"Were you not at the convent? Have you not seen my daughter?"

"Yes, both; but I had not the most remote knowledge of you, or your
daughter, or your son."

"I believe it. But have you not conceived the idle fancy, that by
taking up your abode in my house, you may perhaps win the affections of
my daughter?"

"I thank you for this directness," Eric responded, "and I will use
equal directness in my reply. I should consider it the misfortune of my
life, if I should have the feeling of love towards your daughter."

"Towards my daughter? Why so?"

"Because I should esteem it a misfortune to love a maiden of such great
wealth, without taking into view her Catholic opinions. I would never
marry so rich a girl, and I would let my heart break before I would do
it. I now beseech you--it is not entirely impossible that mistrust, by
and by, may be awakened from this source--I beseech you, openly and
directly, not to give me this situation in your family. It is better; I
have been this short time your guest, and I thank you for your great
kindness."

"Young man, you remain. I believe you, and I trust you. I thank you for
teaching me to have confidence again in a human being, and to believe
in a human being. You remain! Give me your hand--you remain! We will
settle all quietly. Moreover, my daughter is--and I give you here the
best testimony of my confidence--my daughter is as good as betrothed to
the Baron von Pranken. Now come into my own work-room."

They entered it. Everything here was arranged with a special attention
to convenience. For every frame of mind, and every season of the year,
for solitude and for society, chairs, tables, and sofas were disposed
everywhere for comfort, as much as one room could contain. There was a
vast space, and yet a homelike seclusion; and this south side was
admirably situated for a view of the landscape. Here could be seen,
outside, the smooth beeches and plane-trees, which hid from view the
bare-looking vineyards, and suffered the eye to rest upon the summits
of the wooded heights; and directly in front of the balcony window
there was a full view of the ruins of the castle, which, as Eric had
already heard, was being rebuilt by the order of Herr Sonnenkamp, and
under the special supervision of the major.

A single, beautiful painting hung here; it was a life-sized portrait of
Roland, in his seventh year. The b