g, the true
growth of his pupil.

How rich is the world! Up there at the castle sits the old count by his
young wife's side, and creates for himself an ideal realm of thought,
after a full and active life;--here sits the old Major with his
housekeeper. How Bella would turn up her nose if she were compared with
that housekeeper, and yet--

Suddenly Eric heard carriage wheels behind him, and a man's and a
woman's voice called out to him.

CHAPTER VI.

A THIRD PERSON.

On the day that Eric had left Castle Wolfsgarten, an habitual visitor
made his appearance there; this was the son of the eminent
wine-merchant, the so-called Wine-count. He came once a week, to play
chess with the count. He looked young, but he was worn out in soul, not
knowing what to do in the world; he derived no satisfaction from the
business of his father, had money enough, had learned a variety of
things, was something of a musician, drew a little, had very various
talents, but no one predominant. All was wearisome to him; hollow and
stale seemed that enjoyment of life which was to be decorously pursued.
Wherefore should he devote himself to the restricted limits of some
regular pursuit, in order to make money? That is wholly needless. He
was a director in several railroads, and for a period it had satisfied
him to oversee and to manage, to be saluted respectfully, and listened
to obsequiously, by the subordinates held strictly to their place; but
that too became distasteful to him. Travelling, too, proffered him
nothing further, one had to drag along with himself continually such an
extra weight of ennui. He turned a disgusted eye upon the world which
had nothing to do for him, and in which he could do nothing. He had
cultivated one talent, that of chess-playing, and as Clodwig also took
great pleasure in the game, and was skilful in it, he came every week
to Wolfsgarten, and played with Clodwig, for it conferred upon him a
special regard in his own eyes, and in those of others.

He had also a great reputation, among all those in the neighborhood who
prided themselves upon the same qualities as he, of being a rake, and
appearing to the world as a gallant. He had a collection of lewd
pictures of every kind, and one must be very intimate with him to be
able to say that he had seen them all, even to the most carefully
hidden. Of course the Wine-chevalier presented a very respectable