e to meet Eric with great cordiality, greeted him as a neighbor, and
rejoiced that the boy had exhibited so much energy.

"If we were living in the ancient times," he added, "the boy would have
received a new name from this exploit." What Clodwig said of Roland
was, at the same time, noble in sentiment and good in the manner of
expression.

When they were at the dinner-table, Eric heard in what way Bella jested
with Roland; the boy was beaming with delight, for Bella told him of
the hero, Roland.

Eric was greeted in a friendly but measured way, by Bella; she called
him repeatedly, "Herr Neighbor," and was extremely unconstrained. It
could seem to her now as a laughable piece of prudery and timidity,
that she had endeavored at one time to exert an influence to remove
Eric from the vicinity. Had then the man made an unusual impression
upon her? It appeared to her now like a dream, like a mistake.

Eric had thought of this first meeting with a sort of anxiety; now he
chided also his vanity.

"Shall you have the library of your father brought here?" asked
Clodwig.

Eric replied affirmatively, and Bella stared at him. He knew now why
Bella had been so indifferent and unconcerned; he had received money
from her husband, and he now ranked, therefore, very differently in her
estimation.

At dinner he saw Frau Ceres again, for the first time; and when he went
to her, she said in a very low tone, "I thank you," but nothing
further; the words were very significant.

They were in good spirits at table. They thought that the journey would
be a benefit to Frau Ceres. It would be a suitable preparation for the
journey to the baths. One and another day was named for setting out.

Eric did not know what this meant; Roland saw his inquiring look, and
said to her in a low tone,--

"We are all going to see Manna, and bring her back to journey with us
to the baths. This will be jolly and fine."

Eric experienced anew that the chief difficulty of a life so abounding
in means and so unconfined by regular duties was, that every one in the
family, and the boy especially, was living either in the reaction from
some dissipating amusement, or in the expectation of engaging in it. He
would wait quietly, until the question was asked him, in order then to
make his resolute decision of some account.

After dinner it happened, as if by chance, that Bella walked with Eric.
She first told him how happy Clodwig was that Eric was to remain