always begging, "Do not touch
me, if you do, I shall rub off."

Eric was here also naturally a prominent subject of conversation, and
Frau Bella pressed the rose to her mouth, in order to hide her laugh,
when Frau Ceres said,--

"I should like to have the Herr Captain for myself."

"For yourself?"

"Yes. But I don't think I can learn anything more, I am too old and
too stupid. He hasn't let me learn anything."

Frau Bella contested very zealously this modesty. Was not Frau Ceres
beautiful and young? She might be taken indeed for Roland's sister. Was
she not prudent and elegant in her deportment? Frau Ceres smiled and
nodded continually, appearing to believe that it was all true. But now
Bella felt obliged to take her leave, as she desired to spare the
delicate organization of Frau Sonnenkamp.

Frau Ceres looked up timidly at these words; she did not know whether
that was praise or blame. Bella took leave, kissing Frau Ceres upon the
forehead.

Herr Sonnenkamp had left the count and Eric; he had many things to see
after in the house, also letters and despatches had come in, which
required an immediate answer. He sent moreover for the Major to dinner,
and gave orders that if they did not find him at home, they should go
for him to the castle.

Clodwig went with Roland and Eric to their room, and before they were
aware, they became engaged so earnestly in conversation that they
wholly forgot Roland. The youth sat there dumb, looking sometimes at
one, and sometimes at the other. He did not understand what they were
saying, but he could feel how much they were enjoying. When Clodwig had
retired to his own room, Roland seized Eric's hand and cried:--

"I will also learn, I will also study all, whatever you want; I want to
be like you and Clodwig."

A thrill passed through Eric's soul. The invitation from Clodwig was
exactly the ideal of all that he could desire, but here was an actual
duty of life; he could not choose any longer what course, to take.

CHAPTER VIII.

I SERVE.

The Major fortunately came as they were about to sit down to dinner. He
was extremely glad to meet Clodwig and Bella here; every manifestation
of friendliness between individuals was a cordial to him: it confirmed
his proposition that all human beings were immeasurably good, and he
could thereby silence the revilers and the doubters. He was grateful to
Clodwig and Bel