with the
back of a broad-shouldered man for a desk, and giving to others only
verbal directions.

Eric stood in a fixed attitude, and he realized that he was wanting in
worldly wisdom, but a deep feeling of happiness took possession of him,
that his grandfather and father sent him here a friend. An unknown and
inestimable inheritance was awaiting him in all places, like a harvest
gathering in from all quarters; he regarded the family and its rich
possessions with a different feeling; he was no longer poor.

The physician, coming back, said with a more cheerful countenance,--

"I am now free. Count Clodwig has told me about you, but he has given
me a wrong impression of you. Never mind! Every one sees, standing in
the centre of his own horizon, his own rainbow. I wished only to say to
you, that what one--pardon me--what one does for you, is hardly the
payment of interest, for no human being has done more for others than
your grandfather and your father. Now allow yourself for once to
undergo a regular examination. I saw you years ago, when you were
coupled with the prince."

The doctor receded a step from Eric, and continued,--

"The crossing of races is a good one. Father, Huguenot,--Mother, pure
German, real blond, delicate organization,--proper mixture of
nationalities. Come with me into the arbor. Will you allow me a brief
and concise diagnosis?"

Eric smiled; the physician's method of passing him under review and
pronouncing verdict upon him seemed extremely odd, but yet he felt
attracted.

Striking off on a twig the ashes from his cigar, the doctor asked,--

"Can you have intercourse with any one day by day, and not like him, or
at least have some regard for him?"

"I have never tried it, but I think not; and such an intercourse
assuredly hurts the soul."

"I expected this answer. For my part, I say with Lessing, It is better
to live among bad people, than to live apart from everybody. May I ask
still another question?"

But without waiting for a reply, he continued,--

"Have you ever experienced ingratitude?"

"I think that I have, as yet, done nothing which deserves gratitude.
Especially may we ask, Ought we to lay claim to any thanks, inasmuch as
what we do in behalf of others, we do, first of all, to secure our own
self-approval."

"Good, good. Wise already. Yet one thing more. Do you believe in
natural depravity, and if you do, since when?"

"If by depravity you mean the conscious delight