, gulping down an earthworm.

CHAPTER XVI.

WE HAVE HIM.

While the Major and Eric were sitting together, Sonnenkamp was with the
mother in the library; Roland and the aunt, in the recess, had a great
book open before them, containing outline drawings of Greek sculpture.

The boy now looked up and cried,--

"Father, only think that Herr Eric must sell this fine library of his
father's, and there is not a single leaf here that his father has not
written on, and it must go now into the hands of strangers."

"It would be a favor to me," said Sonnenkamp, turning to the aunt, "if
you, gracious Fraeulein, would take my son out to walk; I have something
to say to Frau Dournay."

Roland went away with the aunt.

Sonnenkamp now asked the professor's wife if what Roland had stated
were true.

She replied in the affirmative, adding that the danger was over, as
Count Wolfsgarten had furnished the required sum of money.

When Sonnenkamp heard the name and the amount, a surprising
transformation seemed to take place in him. He said that he allowed no
one the privilege of helping Eric in money-matters; he claimed that as
exclusively his own. And now, having once begun to be beneficent, a new
strength seemed to be unfolded in him; he considered himself very
fortunate in being permitted to render assistance to such an excellent
family, even if Eric should not remain with him.

The professor's widow could not refrain from confessing that it
required great strength of soul to receive favors, and that her family
were not accustomed to it. She spoke of her son.

"He is a child in feeling," she said, "without anything false,
incapable of any indirection, a strong, steadfast, sincere, manly, and
noble character. I ought not, as his mother, to say this, but I can
only congratulate you. You can entrust to him that which you value
most, as the precious jewel of your life, and I tell you that whoever
loves Eric has a heaven in his heart, and whoever does not love him is
without a heart."

Sonnenkamp rose, drawing a deep breath; he would have liked to say, How
happy was that man who could call this woman mother; but he restrained
himself. He stood before the flower-stand, which was artistically
arranged, by an invisible contrivance, in a pyramidal shape, and all so
well cared for and ordered, that it was a pleasure to behold it. He led
the conversation to botany; E