in injuring others,
then I am no believer in it, for I am convinced that all evil doing is
only a stepping over the limits of a justifiable self-preservation; it
is only an excess caused by sophistry or passion. Perhaps the belief in
depravity is also merely passion."

The doctor nodded several times, and then said,--

"Only one question more. Are you sensitive--vulnerable?"

"I might perhaps urge your friendly testing as a proof that I am not."

The doctor threw away the cigar, which he had not wholly smoked up, and
said,--

"Excuse me, I was in an error; my final question has another at the end
of it. Now to conclude: Are you surprised, when you find simply stupid
some little man or some little woman in fashionable clothes, and with
polished address, and are you willing to take them as simply stupid,
without attributing to them principles of action, and a comprehension
of the principles of others?"

In spite of the evidently friendly intention, Eric's patience was
exhausted; he replied to this, not without some irritation, that he had
been through a great many surprising examinations here, but the present
was the most surprising of all.

"You will perhaps have some light upon it, by and by," the physician
said in a low tone, stealthily pressing Eric's hand, for he saw
Fraeulein Perini coming along the path, and he went to join her.

The company at table met again at the fountain, chatted awhile, and
then separated. The priest and the Major invited Eric to call upon
them; the physician asked Sonnenkamp if Eric and Roland might not be
allowed to drive with him upon his round of visits. Sonnenkamp appeared
struck that Roland and Eric were linked together in this way, but he
nodded his assent. Eric and the doctor seated themselves in the open
carriage, and Roland took his seat with the coachman, who gave him the
reins.

The day was bright and full of the fragrance of flowers, bells were
ringing, and larks were carolling.

They drove to a village lying at a distance from the river. From, a
garden where the elder was in bloom came the beautiful music of a
quartette song, and under a linden in an enclosed place, boys and
youths were engaged in gymnastic sports.

"O this magnificent German land of ours!" Eric could not refrain from
exclaiming. "This is life! This is our life! To cheer the soul with
inspiring song, and the body with brisk motion,--this makes a people
strong and noble, and honor and freedom must b