ine establishment,
the son of whose proprietor had bought, with Pranken, the beautiful
horses, was often mentioned. The head of the firm had realized enormous
profits, at a sale held at one of his wine-vaults up the stream. It was
reported that he intended to give up business entirely, and to reside
at the capital, for the shrewd old gentleman was very desirous of
gaining the consideration and good will of the court.

"I give him credit," cried the doctor, "of being infatuated with the
notion of getting ennobled."

Herr Sonnenkamp, who just that moment had put into his mouth some fish
cut up very fine, was seized with such a sudden and violent fit of
coughing, that all the table were anxious at seeing him turn so red in
the face; but he soon re-assured them, saying that he had only
incautiously swallowed a fish-bone.

The Major thought it unfitting that the great wine-merchant should
allow himself to stand as a government-candidate for the chamber of
deputies, and that, too, against such a man as Weidmann. Eric gave
attention when this name was now again mentioned; it was always as if
an indescribable train of honors waited upon it. But the doctor
continued, by saying that the Wine-count was only desirous of
satisfying his ambition, and his purpose to make himself acceptable to
the government, and that he would succeed even if he knew that he would
be beaten, for he appeared in the journals as a supporter of the
Government.

"Now, Herr priest," he directly asked, "which candidate will the clergy
vote for?"

The priest, a tall, slender form with white hair, and remarkably bright
eyes, which looked keen and quiet from beneath the massive eye-brows,
united both dignity and adroitness in his deportment. He would have
been very glad to remain silent, but he now said--moving his left hand,
with the thumb and forefinger joined--that there was really no
opposition to be made to Weidmann's good qualities as a citizen.

The doctor was obliged to put up with this indirect reply. But the
Major extolled very decidedly the noble character of Weidmann, who was
sure to triumph.

The Major always spoke with great difficulty, and turned purple even to
the roots of his white hair, whenever he was obliged to address not his
immediate neighbor only, but the whole table as well.

"You speak as a brother Freemason," said the physician, giving him a
nod.

The Major looked grimly at him, shaking his head, as if to say. One
should n