n
capital, where Sonnenkamp became acquainted with him, and placed him
back again in his first occupation, employing him frequently in
commissions that called for special circumspection.

An ancient kitchen-maid, who sat apart, holding in her lap the plate
from, which she was eating, cried suddenly:--

"You may say what you please, the gentleman who has just come marries
the daughter of the family. Just bear that in mind. Mark my words. He
hasn't come for the young gentleman, but for the young lady. There was
once on a time a prince and a princess in the castle, and the prince
put on a servant's dress--yes, laugh away, but it is just so."

Joseph and Bertram exchanged glances full of meaning.

Now there was a general joking. Every one wished to have his fortune
told by old Kate. The courier made fun of superstitious people, but
assumed a very forced smile when Bertram called out:--

"Yes, indeed, the tailors are all enlightened, they don't believe in
hell."

There was no end to the laughing now. Suddenly a voice sounded from the
ceiling:--

"Bertram is to put the horses to the glass-carriage, and Joseph to come
up."

The company at the table broke up; the hostlers went to the stables,
where they smoked their pipes, the gardeners to the park and the
green-houses. Joseph told two servants to set the dinner-table, and
there was stillness under ground. Only the kettles bubbled and hissed,
and the chief surveyed with lofty mien the progress of his work.

An hour later, Lootz received the letters which he was to carry to the
station, and, in a very casual and innocent way, related that the new
tutor had as adherents in the house, Bertram, who was formerly
stationed in his battery, and Joseph, who considered himself committed
to him as coming from the University. It had never been said in so many
words that Lutz was to be a spy over the servants, but it was
understood, as a matter of course, between him and his master.

CHAPTER II.

A SUNDAY FILLED OUT.

Eric had wished to write a letter to his mother out of fairy-land, when
he rode as if under a spell of enchantment through the wood, where all
was music, fragrance, and brightness. Yes, then! It was only a few days
ago, and yet it seems as if years had elapsed. How much in these few
days had Eric thought, seen, experienced! The letter is an entirely
different one.

On Sunday there was a change in