tfully welcomed the guests to the villa.

Hardly had they left the carriage, when another drove into the court,
and the physician got out.

CHAPTER VII.

THE FIRST ROSE IN OPEN GROUND.

Eric acquired an entirely new regard by the arrival of Clodwig and
Bella. For the first time Sonnenkamp called him "dear friend."

Herr Sonnenkamp offered his arm to Bella, which she accepted, turning
slowly toward him, that Clodwig might see how great a sacrifice she was
making; her hand rested lightly on Sonnenkamp's arm. As she was thus
walking on, holding the arm of the master of the house, she stopped
full of wonder, for there was a rose blooming in full beauty upon a
rose-bush raised in the open air.

Herr Sonnenkamp hastened to pluck it, and presented it to her in some
pretty words. Bella said that she was very much obliged to him, and
seemed not to notice that he again proffered his arm. They went at once
to the hot-houses. Joseph, who was always present at the right time, as
if specially summoned, received from his master orders to inform
Fraeulein Perini and Frau Ceres of the visit. Joseph understood.

The doctor had been summoned to Frau Ceres, but when she learned what
guests had arrived, she immediately declared that she was well; but she
was cunning enough to say to the doctor, that merely seeing him had
made her well. Doctor Richard understood.

In the meantime, Clodwig had said to Eric, "You don't remain here; you
go with us. I can't leave you."

He jerked the words out briefly and rapidly, as one utters in a
compressed, uniform tone something which has lain in his mind for a
long time.

Just then, Roland came down the mountain, with his camp-stool and
drawing-board, and Bella called out to him, while far off, in a very
friendly "welcome."

"How handsome he is!" said she to those standing about her. "He who
could fix permanently this image of the marvellous boy as he is
coming along, would have a picture out of the Grecian age, by changing
camp-stool and portfolio into spear and shield."

Bella perceived the look of happiness in Eric's eyes, and said to
him:--"Yes, Herr Doctor, I once gave to an artist at the capital the
design for a picture as I saw Roland; he had sprung across the road,
and had cast an alms into the hat of a street-beggar sitting upon a
heap of stones; and as he sprang back, so well formed and graceful,
every muscle stretched, and